The recent regional elections in Germany have marked a significant turning point, as the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party secured a historic victory in Thuringia and performed strongly in Saxony.
These results show the growing influence of the hard-right party in the eastern regions of Germany, raising questions about the future of the German federal government.
In an interview with TVP World, Andrzej Byrt, Poland’s former ambassador to Germany and France, provided insights into the factors behind the AfD’s success.
“East Germans don’t feel as being equal to their West German colleagues, friends, or superiors,” said Byrt.
In an interview with TVP World, Andrzej Byrt, Poland’s former ambassador to Germany and France, provided insights into the factors behind the AfD’s success.
“East Germans don’t feel as being equal to their West German colleagues, friends, or superiors,” said Byrt.
This sentiment, he argued, has fueled support for the AfD, which has positioned itself as a champion of East German dignity and autonomy.
An acclaimed economist and diplomat, Byrt also pointed to the long-standing economic and social challenges in East Germany, which have been exacerbated by recent crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
The loss of cheap energy sources following the conflict has further strained the region’s economy, creating fertile ground for the AfD’s message. “They could find their own personal niche where they could live, not bothering that much what is happening in [the whole of] Germany,” Byrt said.
Despite the AfD’s success, Byrt suggested that their influence might remain limited to the eastern regions. He said that the party has struggled to gain traction in the West.
“The AfD has always tried to implant also in the west part of Germany, with no success.”
Moreover, Byrt said that mainstream parties are likely to form a united front against the AfD, similar to the strategy used to block the rise of the far-right in France.
Looking ahead, Byrt is uncertain about whether AfD leader Björn Höcke will be able to form a government in Thuringia, given the resistance from other parties.
He said that even leftist factions, like those led by Sahra Wagenknecht, have refused to cooperate with the AfD, making it challenging for the party to govern despite its electoral success.
An acclaimed economist and diplomat, Byrt also pointed to the long-standing economic and social challenges in East Germany, which have been exacerbated by recent crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
The loss of cheap energy sources following the conflict has further strained the region’s economy, creating fertile ground for the AfD’s message. “They could find their own personal niche where they could live, not bothering that much what is happening in [the whole of] Germany,” Byrt said.
Despite the AfD’s success, Byrt suggested that their influence might remain limited to the eastern regions. He said that the party has struggled to gain traction in the West.
“The AfD has always tried to implant also in the west part of Germany, with no success.”
Moreover, Byrt said that mainstream parties are likely to form a united front against the AfD, similar to the strategy used to block the rise of the far-right in France.
Looking ahead, Byrt is uncertain about whether AfD leader Björn Höcke will be able to form a government in Thuringia, given the resistance from other parties.
He said that even leftist factions, like those led by Sahra Wagenknecht, have refused to cooperate with the AfD, making it challenging for the party to govern despite its electoral success.
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