The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is predicted to make significant gains in the Thuringia and Saxony polls, posing a challenge to Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government. These elections are considered a barometer for the upcoming federal election in 2025. If the AfD wins, it would be the first time a far-right party has the most seats in a German state parliament since World War II. Despite their potential success, the AfD is not expected to form a state government due to a lack of majority support from other parties.
The recent knife attack in Germany has intensified the debate on immigration, further boosting the anti-immigration sentiment that the AfD has capitalized on. Polls show the AfD leading in Thuringia and coming in a close second in Saxony, with the far-left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance also expected to perform well. A victory for the AfD would mark a historic moment in post-war Germany and would serve as a rebuke to Scholz’s government.
The divide between East and West Germany is evident in these elections, with voters in the former East German states expressing concerns over issues like immigration and national security. Both the AfD and the new party BSW are expected to collectively secure a significant portion of the vote in these states, indicating a shift in political preferences. As the polls close, the results are eagerly awaited as they have the potential to reshape the political landscape in Germany.
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