CHRISTIAN MANG / AFP
Demonstration in Berlin against right-wing extremism and AfD, January 21, 2024.
GERMANY – Bet lost. The German far right suffered an electoral setback this Sunday, January 28, when demonstrations of unprecedented proportions broke out across the country against its program, despite seemingly enjoying an unstoppable rise for months.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has lost its bet for the second cantonal presidency in the local elections in the Saale-Orla district in the eastern German region of Thuringia.
Their candidate Uwe Thrume received only 47.6% of the vote in the second round on Sunday, improving his result in the first round by just 1.9 points, while his conservative rival benefited from a strong surplus of votes and finished with 52.4%.
Expulsion of migrants
The defeat of the AfD, which started as the favorite, was achieved “thanks to the mobilization of civil society,” estimated the number two in Thuringia, the Social Democrat Georg Maier.
This election was a test at a time when large-scale demonstrations have been taking place for about two weeks against this party and its program, considered racist by its critics. Last weekend, organizers estimated the number of participants at 1.4 million.
This mobilization of civil society was triggered by press revelations that triggered an earthquake in Germany: at the end of last year, members of the AfD, an anti-migration and anti-system party, discussed a plan for the mass expulsion of foreigners and “unassimilated citizens”.
Olaf Sholz unpopular
A survey conducted by the Insa Institute during the first demonstrations recently showed a decline in voting intentions for the AfD to 21.5 percent compared to 23 percent previously.
The fact is that the AfD remains the second most popular party in Germany in the polls, behind the conservative opposition led by Social Democratic Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The reason for this is the increase in immigration and the record-breaking unpopularity of the ruling coalition government.
In this context, there are increasing voices calling for a cut in public funding for the AfD, especially since the party is in the crosshairs of the secret services. Its regional associations in Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt were placed under surveillance because of their positions, which were considered very radical.
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