The far right in Germany grows up: "We are here to stay"

It could have been a major disaster. In the regional elections in East Germany, the Alternative for Germany (AFD), the far right party, tripled its vote in the state of Saxony and Germany. It has almost doubled in the state of Brandenburg, compared to the results obtained in the last elections in 2014, although it did not win.

The conclusion of the candidate of this force in Brandenburg, Andreas Kalbitz, is clear. "I would have liked that like the strawberry dessert, we won these elections, but as the results show, the alternative is here to stay; now it will not be possible to do politics without us, "he said.

This is the first time that the German Alternative has achieved such a high score in regional elections since its establishment six years ago. Cabout 28% of the votes in Saxony, the far right party is even more important in the political landscape of the east of this country.

"It should be known that the strength in the east of Germany defends positions much more radical than that of the west, and mainly in these two states, as well as in Thuringia, where elections will be held at the end of October. In these three states the party is dominated by a movement that is its far right. With such good figures, this radical orientation will certainly be accentuated within the force, at the expense of its president who represents a liberal orientation rather conservative, "said Hans Stark, of the University Paris IV Sorbonne.

"Our goal was to arrive first. We do not get it. But I am very pleased with this result, given the media campaign launched against AFD involving parties, unions and churches. The Saxons were not intimidated. They put their trust in us. They know that we are a party that defends them and our result is proof of that, "said Urban Jörg, one of its leaders and first on its list in Saxony.

The increase in participation benefited AFD, but the polarization of the far-right campaign helped the ruling parties in the final stretch, as they fell back but less than expected in the soundings and radical strength. failed to settle first. The strategy of rejecting all dialogue and alliance with the far right party has been a success. But the Social Democrats and the Christian Democrats will be forced to seek new alliances, because of the great loss of banks.

For the political scientist Hans Stark, although the leaders of the CDU in Saxony have been relieved, they are under pressure: "They know that it will be difficult for them to form a coalition and that the AFD follows them closely. , which is only six points behind. " The party Die Linke, heir to the Communists of East Germany disappeared and traditional dyke against the far right in East Germany, fell to 10% in both states. For the moment, an alliance with AFD is a taboo subject for all German parties, but if it continues to grow, it could become possible.