The far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) is recognized as a political force in Germany that poses a threat to the post-war political order of the country. However, the roots of this phenomenon in East Germany and the historical impacts stemming from the Cold War and the division of the country into eastern and western parts require deeper examination. This text analyzes the factors that have led to the success of this party in East Germany and explores its implications for this region and German society.
Analysis of Historical Roots
The success of AfD in East Germany is clearly greater compared to the west of the country. This party achieved a record 44 percent of the vote in the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6. This indicates deeper roots that date back to the Cold War and the division of Germany. Some analysts, including Jürgen Kwalczuk, believe that the oppressive control of the East German regime (GDR) over the lives of citizens has had long-term effects on the culture and mindset of the people in this region. According to this analysis, Eastern Germans passively submitted to the regime's dominance and reproduced its racist and authoritarian characteristics within their families and communities.
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