- In a surprising turn of events, Putin emerges victorious in the election, leaving global media in shock.
Shift in Power Scenario, Rise of Populists. The election night of Thuringia and Saxony is perceived as a significant changes in Germany's political landscape. Globally, attention is drawn towards the eastern part of the Federal Republic, and sometimes, surprise ensues.
"Corriere della Sera" (Rome): "From the chaos of the two state elections, a different nation arises, a different Germany. Majorities in Erfurt and Dresden transfer their dissatisfaction and disillusionment to two populist parties, the nationalistic and xenophobic far-right AfD and the hybrid BSW party, led by Sahra Wagenknecht, a blend of pro-Russian pacifism, economic nationalism, and hardline anti-immigration policy. The election outcome reveals that 34 years after reunification, and with billions of euros invested in the former GDR, a majority in these two federal states holds no loyalty to the traditional parties, disregards their decisions, and fails to comprehend their codes. They feel like second-class Germans or, more disconcertingly, foreigners in their homeland."
"La Stampa" (Rome): "Should Brandenburg, a traditionally Social Democratic state, join Thuringia and Saxony on September 22, it would be challenging for Olaf Scholz to maintain his obstinate determination to survive in the Chancellery. Europe's core, a region responsible for driving significant advancements within European politics, could be affected. In the absence of a French government and Germany's fractured majority positions, forming agreements becomes more difficult. The likelihood of Ursula von der Leyen acting solely as a bulwark against right-wing progress in her role as EU Commission President, against the fragility of her own government, seems plausible."
"La Repubblica" (Rome): "While the old continent navigates the strait of potential war and democracy's heart attack, it must confront an internal adversary. Institutional European systems are being infiltrated, witness in Italy, France, and now even Germany. Putin's influence is evident, and the AfD's 'fascist' right-wing and leftist nostalgia, akin to France's Rassemblement National and Italy's Lega, make up his EU stronghold. Russia's president has orchestrated an extraordinary and disturbing political victory. Playing down concerns over the war in Ukraine is a façade for his seemingly peaceful intentions."
"The Guardian" (London): "The extremist, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany is surging in Europe's largest economy. If Bundestag elections were held today, polls suggest the party could become the second-largest faction in parliament. However, their capacity to govern a state is limited to the east, following their first state election victory through Thuringia's AfD leader Björn Höcke. (...) As long as the other parties can prevent the far-right from obtaining an absolute majority, their power ambitions will likely remain mere dreams. Nevertheless, the AfD's emergence as a regional powerhouse poses pressing and alarming questions about Germany's political identity, and the manner by which such forces can be curtailed in the future."
"Financial Times" (London): "The election results signify growing discontent in eastern Germany with a government often linked to high inflation, economic stagnation, escalating energy costs, and intraparty squabbles. Voters are increasingly abandoning the center for populist parties located on the political fringes. (...) The results reveal that 34 years post-German reunification, a majority in two regions of the former communist east have grown disillusioned with the established centrist parties, and are dissatisfied with the manner in which Germany is governed."
"El Mundo" (Madrid): "The election results in eastern German states Thuringia and Saxony, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in first and second place respectively, indicate a tumultuous political landscape in Germany historically known for its strong economic influence. The rise of extremist and anti-immigrant discourses, previously evident during the European elections, poses a significant threat to the European project and calls for reasoned and informed debate. (...) These elections occur just a week after the Solingen terrorist attack, fueling anti-immigrant sentiment, but polls had suggested increases in far-right extremists for some time. The Social Democrats' scandal and the Christian Democratic Union's U-turn on immigration policy (...) underline a paradigm shift that affects EU nations to varying degrees. The confrontation with those exploiting immigration, without taking simplistic positions, is already one of the greatest challenges for Western democratic forces."
"New York Times" (Substitute for "Wall Street Journal"): "The outcomes of the parliamentary elections in Saxony and Thuringia over the weekend have added to the unease sweeping across a continent experiencing the erosion of traditional parties and the emergence of rebellious factions. The larger concern is the simultaneous rise of the AfD and BSW, which highlights the collapse of governing parties in Germany. This trend aligns with national polls indicating discontent with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his coalition's inability to manage migration and their stubborn commitment to climate goals despite mounting and tangible economic harm. As a result, the Christian Democrats (CDU and CSU) remain the sole mainstream alternative to the insurgents. It's understandable that German voters may have grown impatient with their dysfunctional ruling parties, and the blame for this situation should be placed on the shoulders of the outdated politicians who fail to respond to voter frustration."
"The Standard" (Vienna Substitute): "If the east German states of Thuringia and Saxony were located in the west or had voter turnout in a western German state on Sunday, the outcome for the traffic light coalition would not have differed significantly. The coalition in Berlin is in disarray, with its members at odds with one another, and the fragile three-party alliance clings together only out of fear of the voters. In the days leading up to the elections, a deplorable attack in Solingen took place, which exposed fundamental flaws and exacerbated existing fears that neither Merkel nor her successor Olaf Scholz were equipped to address. How Scholz plans to navigate this crisis is unclear, and his strategy to regain the trust of the electorate remains shrouded in mystery."
"Neue Zürcher Zeitung" (Zürich Substitute): "The extent to which the reputation of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's cabinet has been tarnished is apparent with the triumph of the AfD. Despite the controversial leadership of Höcke, AfD has dominated the political landscape in the east. A politics that ignores the concerns of the middle class should not be surprised when extremist factions gain strength. The party that was intended to act as a 'firewall' against such groups may well benefit the most from this trend."
"Tages-Anzeiger" (Zürich Substitute): "Both the AfD and BSW have managed to channel discontent with the Berlin government onto their platforms, garnering support more effectively than the main opposition party in Germany, the CDU. Nevertheless, the CDU also emerged as a winner in these elections. The party remains the last bulwark of the political center, upon which conservative governments can still be formed in regions like Saxony and Thuringia, where incumbent Minister President Michael Kretschmer and State Chancellor Mario Voigt managed to fend off challenges from their extremist counterparts – challenging coalition talks lie ahead. The Chancellor's party, the SPD, endured a dismal showing in eastern Germany, paving the way for potential challenges to Olaf Scholz's leadership. If the Social Democrats suffer similar setbacks in Brandenburg in three weeks and Minister President Dietmar Woidke loses influence there, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's position may also be imperiled. In the run-up to federal elections next year, a revolt from within the party against Scholz cannot be ruled out."
The European Parliament: In light of the rising populist forces in Germany, it is crucial for the EU to closely monitor the developments in the country and consider potential implications on European politics.
The European Parliament: With the increasing influence of parties like the AfD in Germany, it becomes essential for the EU to strengthen its democratic institutions and safeguard its values to counteract rising extremism.
