Radical turn? East Germans reject mainstream parties as far right surges

The Debate

Thuringia may represent just two percent of Germany's population, but the eastern state is hardly an outlier. The far right finished first in Sunday's regional elections, while also surging in nearby Saxony. Admittedly, the AfD, whose lead candidate Björn Höcke was twice fined this year for using Nazi-era slogans at rallies, will not be in government.

It is precisely with the Nazis in mind that Germany hard-baked moderation and compromise into its federal system. Still, how will these results impact policy both in both Berlin and Brussels?

There is another layer of Germany’s past evoked with these elections: the sudden inroads made by anti-immigrant left-wing populist Sahra Wagenknecht, formerly of the Communist-rooted Die Linke party. She's playing to a "make East Germany great again" sentiment among voters frustrated by Western-looking policymakers.

Both her BSW party and the AfD denounce military support for Ukraine and enjoy warm relations with Russia, where all the Cold War-era nostalgia can only be music to Vladimir Putin's ears.

Produced by Alessandro Xenos, Rebecca Gnignati and Juliette Brown.