AfD becomes strong power in Germany despite loss of power

AfD becomes strong power in Germany despite loss of power

The political system of Germany is designed to rule out extremists. But the country faces a new political reality that has shifted to the right. The former outsider party Alternative for Germany (AfD) Anchored.

election results and political changes

The mainstream-conservative parties, as predicted in surveys, have achieved the largest share of votes in the election on Sunday and will try to form the next government while the AfD came in second place. But this second place is a remarkable result for a party that, although it probably does not get into office, will gain influence.

The AfD has doubled its support since the last election in 2021, in which it received 10.3 % of the vote. It is now the first right -wing extremist party in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, which has achieved such broad public support, and has also significantly increased its share of sitting in the Bundestag.

regional strengths and support

AfD in East Germany was able to win a particularly large number of voters, where it has long had a stronghold. However, the AfD also found considerable support in the west of the country, for example in the Gelsenkirchen industrial center, which has to struggle with a stagnating economy and high unemployment, as well as in Kaiserslautern, which is surrounded by several US military base.

"We have never been so strong-we are the second largest force," said the co-chair of the AfD, Alice Weidel, in her speech to the crowd in Berlin after the exit-poll results were announced on Sunday evening.

political reactions and challenges

The mood at the AfD election event in Berlin was euphoric when the first results appeared on the screens and cheered people with Germany flags. The chairman of the CDU, Friedrich Merz, who will probably become Germany's next chancellor, explained the victory and criticized the US interventions in the election campaign in which high-ranking members of the Trump administration supported the AfD.

"These interventions are no less dramatic and ultimately outrageous than the interventions we saw from Moscow," said Merz. The AfD was founded in 2013 in response to European financial policy and was anchored on the edge of German politics for a long time, in a country that is drawn by its Nazi past. Extremely right -wing parties were always considered with caution.

a turning point in German politics

The AfD was able to secure seats in the Bundestag for the first time in 2017, but fought for visibility in the traditional media for a long time due to its rigid anti-migrant and anti-Islamic rhetoric. This election marks the first time that the party is putting up a candidate for chancellor.

The AfD demands "remigration" - the mass designation of migrants. This controversial policy is often compared with the Nazi era. The party is officially suspected of right -wing extremism by the German authorities, and parts of their structures are under observation.

political debate and strategic orientations

But all of this seems to have changed. The AfD is now the largest opposition party in Germany and thus a serious political actor who cannot be ignored. She has significantly determined the debate in Germany and forced the traditional rivals to do more to bind voters.

The rise of the AfD is also reflected in other European countries in which the extreme right gained influence. In the Netherlands, France or Austria, such parties can no longer be easily dismissed as political outsiders if they have won significant voice shares or even rule the country in Italy.

The pressure on the established parties

having an important voice in parliament means that the AfD can "put pressure on the big parties from a stronger position", explained Gemma Loomes, lecturer for comparative political science at Keele University. "The increase in support will encourage the party, perhaps even more aggressive to talk about the topics that are most important to her, but which are reluctant to address the larger parties," she added.

This raises the question: Can the so-called “fire brigade system”-an unofficial agreement of the established parties in Germany to keep the AfD out of power?

Future view and election goals

In a demonstration of self-confidence, the chairman of the AfD youth organization, the "young alternative" (yes), who said CNN on the election evening he was "certain" that the fire brigade system would no longer exist after Sunday. Merz 'controversial decision to enforce an immigration law with the help of the AfD in January could be an early sign of how he wants to proceed in his chancellery.

The political forecasts indicate that the AfD politicians have already focused on the next election in 2029, which are convinced that the fire brigade system will no longer exist. "I am sure that this so-called 'fire brigade system' will end after this choice," said Hannes Gnauck, the chairman of the yes, on Sunday evening. "There will be a CDU to Friedrich Merz and this CDU will have to work with the AfD."

political risks and uncertainties for the CDU

Merz now faces a narrow ridge while trying to form a new government and take a new course for the CDU. The CDU was always present in the post-war period and played a central role in reunification of East and West Germany. But at the same time everything has changed since her last reign.

Merz has promised to lead the party back to its more conservative roots in order to counter the AfD. However, this turning is risks. The AfD could be strengthened while the CDU isolates its center-left electorate. According to Loomes, this decision is "triggered with dangers".

"The AfD has positioned itself as the only party that is ready to talk about immigration and to demand radical measures to solve the supposed problem," she said. "If the CDU positions itself in this area, there is a risk of being perceived as a less authentic version of the AfD."

The new government under Merz will probably also include the other large center-left party, the Social Democrats (SPD), which led in the previous coalition and took third place on Sunday. However, the structure of a coalition could prove to be difficult, since the two parties may contradict themselves in some essential questions, especially in foreign policy.

transatlantic relationships and new challenges

While Germany has long looked at extremely right -wing parties with an aversion that cannot be seen in other European neighbors, some Germans believe that the time has come to break old taboos. The strong transatlantic support of the AfD strengthens this perspective.

The Tech-Milliardär Elon Musk spoke during a surprising appearance at The AfD option in January and said: "There is too much focus on past guilt, and we have to get over it." In his speech, which resembles the positions of the AfD, he received stormy applause.

A strong Berlin and a united Europe appear more important than ever. The continent is looking for Leadership, while Trump drives peace talks about Ukraine without its participation. For Merz, the independence of Europe from the United States is of the highest priority. "My primary goal will be to strengthen Europe as soon as possible so that we can really reach independence from the United States step by step," he said during a television round with other party leaders on Sunday evening.

While the political mainstream in Germany has averted a radical right -wing extremist government, Merz 'challenges are just beginning.

Post by Nadine Schmidt, CNN