Resurgence of the far right in Germany: What caused it?

Sabine Thonke’s participation in a Berlin demonstration against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party marked a significant moment for her, rekindling hope in the fight against the rising extremism in Germany. Thonke, 59, had been growing increasingly concerned with the AfD’s popularity and its harsh stances, including a proposal to deport millions. She believed that Germany had moved past such extremist ideologies.

Contrary to the belief that Germany had become resistant to nationalist and supremacist ideologies due to its post-Nazi era education and legal frameworks, the AfD’s surge in popularity has proven otherwise. Polls suggest that if elections were to occur today, the AfD would emerge as the second-largest party, especially gaining traction in the economically lagging eastern states.

The disillusionment following the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990, coupled with current challenges such as inflation and immigration, has fueled the AfD’s rise. Germany, having received over 300,000 asylum claims in 2023, faces public discontent over immigration, a sentiment that far-right parties across Europe are leveraging to gain power.

In West Germany, there was a conscious effort to reckon with the Nazi past and instill the value of “never again” endorsing dictatorship. However, East Germany portrayed itself as a victim of Nazism, diluting the personal responsibility towards Nazi atrocities.

Thonke, who grew up in Bavaria, recalls learning about Hitler and the Holocaust in school but notes a worrying similarity in today’s far-right tactics of exploiting fears for political gain. The AfD’s stronghold in eastern states like Saxony and Thuringia, where it garners around 35% support, illustrates the party’s appeal, especially among men and young voters disillusioned by the government’s performance.

The AfD’s radical stance, particularly in Thuringia under Bjoern Hoecke’s leadership, has invoked revisionist views of Germany’s past, challenging the narrative of national shame associated with Nazi crimes. This nationalist narrative, coupled with attacks on historical memory sites like the Buchenwald Memorial, highlights the dangerous rhetoric of the AfD.

The backlash against the far right began in earnest following a report about a meeting discussing mass deportations, reminiscent of the Nazi era’s Wannsee Conference. This spurred nationwide protests against the AfD, with slogans championing democracy and anti-hate sentiments. The turnout for these protests, potentially the largest since the war, indicates a public awakening to the threat of far-right populism.

Thonke’s participation in these rallies signals a broader societal mobilization against the AfD’s divisive politics. The challenge now is to translate this public outcry into electoral action to counter the far right’s influence, especially with upcoming European Parliament elections.