Explained
AFD doubles its share of votes from 10.4 percent in 2021 to 20.8 percent, becoming the second largest political party of Germany.
In a historic shift in the German political landscape, the extremely right alternative to Germany (AFD) has increased to become the second largest party in the Bundestag, winning 20.8 percent of the votes in the federal elections.
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) was the largest voting winner on Sunday, victory 28.6 percent In addition to his sister party, the Christian social union. The CDU has excluded the formation of the coalition with AFD, which is a challenge in creating a stable government.
AFD articulated several key policies, which have proven to be popular with many German voters. They include:
- Immigration controls, Including rejection of asylum applications and “remigrants” initiatives that would deport foreign nationals
- Economic overhaul, Like leaving the euro and re -introduction of a German brand
- Changes in foreign policy, like leaving NATO
- Turn of energy transitions, Like dismantling existing wind turbines and returning nuclear energy
Who is the AFD leader Alice Weidel?
Alice WeidelFormer finance expert with a doctorate in economics, joined AFD in 2013 and quickly climbed to leadership posts. Initially the Eurosptic Party, AFD moved towards nationalism and a strict immigration policy with Weidel at the helm.
Weidel used the frustration of voters, especially in the former eastern Germany, opposing immigration, green energy policies and globalization. Using social media and high interviews, including the billionaire of Elon Musk technology, to expand her influence, Weidel’s “remigracy” and nationalist policies also attracted her attention.
How has AFD performed in the past?
Party’s election gains reflect the increasing dissatisfaction of voters about migration, economy and main parties.
Initially formed as a Eurosptic Party, AFD secured 4.7 percent of votes at its first federal elections in 2013, falling below the 5 -long strip needed to enter the Bundestag.
In the 2017 federal elections, the party received 12.6 percent of the vote and entered the Bundestag from 94 places. It was the third largest party in the German parliament, its popularity launched by the refugee policy of the then Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2015, which enabled Germany as a million asylum seekers to Germany.
While still strongly appeared in eastern Germany, the share of AFD votes fell in the 2021 elections to 10.3 percent, making it the fifth largest party in the Bundestag. The party struggled to maintain its anti-immigration rhetoric with concern at the time more focused on handling a pandemia of Covid-19.
In the Sunday elections, the AFD doubled its share of votes since 2021, as the election campaign focused on immigration and economy.
Where did the AFD best achieve?
In Sunday’s election, AFD won votes in almost every German constituency.
Historically speaking, AFD manages well among the voters in East Germany because of the differences in post-re-emerging posts that have emerged as the east, lapse of Western Germany in economic development and employment capabilities.
AFD also has a good time with the rhetoric of its anti -Blessed rhetoric with the main political parties less deeply rooted in eastern Germany because of its communist past.
In several West German polling stations, AFD won, but he was only slightly in front of other most popular parties in these areas.
Accordingly, the left party has also achieved success in Eastern Germany despite the rejection of support in recent years. The left was developing from the S
Will AFD be part of the German coalition?
The main parties have excluded the formation of the coalition with AFD because of their nationalist policies and the ultimate right preferences. As such, German coalition capabilities are now limited to one, given the results of voting.
A large coalition, including CDU, CSU and Social Democratic Party (SPD), is the most likely option with CDU leader Friedrich Merz like a chancellor.
