German Far-Right Surges, in Threat to Postwar Taboo on Extremists in Power

Live updates

1. 8d ago

   German Far-Right AfD Eyes Landmark State Election Win

   Germany faces a potential postwar turning point as the far-right Alternative for Germany party pursues its first state election win in Saxony-Anhalt. Polls place the party above forty percent, though the five percent threshold and tactical voting could shape whether it can govern alone. Minorities express fear over the prospect of a far-right victory, while Jewish leaders warn that control over state institutions, intelligence, education, and police would carry profound consequences. Meanwhile, civil society alliances and thousands of citizens have mobilized with rallies across the state to challenge the far-right surge.

   Why it matters

   The rising popularity of the far-right movement threatens a long-standing German taboo against placing extremists in positions of regional or national power. Established political strategies aimed at containing the party appear to have backfired in eastern regions. The outcome threatens to send shockwaves through the nation, intersecting with debates over foreign political influences and positioning small parties as potential kingmakers.

   What is confirmed

   • Germany's far-right AfD is poised for a potential historic state victory in Saxony-Anhalt.
   • Polls put the party above forty percent, while the five percent threshold and tactical voting could determine if it can govern alone.
   • Thousands of people marched at rallies in Saxony-Anhalt amid opposition to the far-right surge.

   Still unconfirmed

   • AfD party members are internally split on whether to cozy up to Donald Trump and align with American Trumpism.

   What to watch next

   • Final election results from Saxony-Anhalt
   • Decisions by small parties acting as potential kingmakers regarding coalition building
   • Responses from federal authorities and civil society alliances to the election outcome
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. The Guardian — ‘This could just be the beginning’: minorities fear first far-right win in German state election
   2. The New York Times — Opinion | Something Alarming Is About to Happen in Germany
   3. Politico — Germany Had a Strategy to Contain the Far Right. It May Have Backfired.
   4. dw.com — Saxony-Anhalt: Small parties will be the kingmakers
   5. Brookings — Could the right-wing extremist AfD govern a German state for the first time?
   6. bbc.com — Germany's far-right AfD bids for first taste of power in eastern vote
   7. The New York Times — German Far-Right Surges, in Threat to Postwar Taboo on Extremists in Power
   8. CNN — Germany’s far-right AfD is poised for power – and split on whether to cozy up to Trump
   9. The Guardian — All eyes on Saxony-Anhalt – what will AfD do if it wins German state poll?
   10. Bloomberg.com — ‘We Can Only Win’: The Rise of the Far Right in Eastern Germany
   11. Los Angeles Times — Trumpism’s shadow looms over German election as far right eyes historic power
   12. The Times of Israel — German far-right AfD party’s projected win puts Jews between the left and a hard place
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