Far-Right AfD's Electoral Surge Alarms German Jewish Community

The recent state elections in Thuringia and Saxony, held on September 1, 2024, have sent shockwaves through Germany's political landscape. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, founded just 11 years ago, achieved unprecedented success, particularly in Thuringia where it secured the most votes at 33 percent.

Josef Schuster, head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, expressed deep concern over these results. In an article for Bild newspaper, he likened the electoral outcome to a powerful blow in a boxing match, describing it as a "sucker punch of historic dimensions" for German society.

"Germany is reeling. Can we recover from this hit? Our free society must not fall, especially in the face of Islamist terror."

The Central Council of Jews, established in 1950, has long been a voice for the Jewish community in Germany. Schuster's words reflect the apprehension felt by many regarding the rise of far-right politics in a country still grappling with its historical legacy.

In Saxony, another eastern German state with a population of about 4 million, the AfD came a close second to the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU). This result further underscores the growing influence of the far-right party in regions that were once part of the former East Germany, which ceased to exist with reunification in 1990.

The AfD's success in these elections is particularly noteworthy given the controversy surrounding some of its key figures. Björn Höcke, the party's leader in Thuringia, has been found guilty of using banned Nazi slogans in his speeches and has advocated for reducing Germany's population by 20 million through migrant expulsion. Despite these controversies, the AfD's popularity has continued to grow.

Interestingly, Höcke himself faced a personal setback, losing in his constituency to CDU rival Christian Tischner. However, due to Germany's mixed electoral system, which combines direct mandates with proportional representation, Höcke still secured a seat in the state parliament.

The elections also saw the emergence of new political forces. The BSW (Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht), a left-wing party established less than nine months ago, made significant gains. Led by Sahra Wagenknecht, the party advocates for peace negotiations with Russia and criticizes Germany's current migration policies.

Despite the AfD's strong showing, the party is unlikely to enter state governments due to a political "firewall" agreement among other parties to not cooperate with far-right groups. This stance, while aimed at limiting the AfD's influence, may lead to challenges in forming stable governments in both Thuringia and Saxony.

In Saxony, the CDU may need to continue its coalition with the Greens and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Germany's oldest existing party founded in 1863. Thuringia faces an even more complex situation, with the CDU potentially having to collaborate with Die Linke, a left-wing party it has previously refused to work with.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has led Germany since December 2021, described the election results as "truly bitter" after his SPD failed to reach double figures in either state. These outcomes pose significant challenges for Germany's political stability and highlight the growing polarization within the country's multi-party system.

As Germany grapples with these electoral shifts, the coming months will be crucial in determining how the political landscape adapts to the rising influence of far-right and new left-wing parties, while maintaining the principles of its democratic system.