Far-Right Party's Wins In Germany Piles New Pressure On Rock Scholz’s Government
The Alternative for Germany party’s wins in Thuringia and Saxony put pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition. Finding new government solutions proves tough.
BERLIN — Germany’s politics are in a big shake-up after recent elections. The Alternative for Germany party (AfD) made history by winning in Thuringia. Their leader, Björn Höcke, is a far-right figure.
In Saxony, they almost won, finishing just behind the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the main opposition party. This success has put a lot of pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his government.
Why Are Voters Upset?
Many people are unhappy with Scholz’s coalition, which includes the Social Democrats, Greens, and Free Democrats. They are frustrated with problems like rising prices, a weak economy, and disagreements about military help for Ukraine.
In the east of Germany, where things are not as prosperous as in the west, people are turning to parties like AfD that promise big changes.
On election day, another new party led by leftist Sahra Wagenknecht also did well. This new party might be important in forming new state governments because no one wants to work with AfD. Scholz’s coalition has already had a hard time in recent European elections. With another state election coming up in Brandenburg, things might get even more complicated.
Tough Decisions for the CDU
The CDU, which is leading in national polls, now faces difficult decisions. In Thuringia, AfD has more than a third of the seats. This makes it hard to build a stable government.
In Saxony, even if the CDU, Scholz’s party, and Wagenknecht’s new group work together, they still don’t have a clear majority. They might need help from the Left Party, which has been avoided before. Germany’s political scene is changing quickly, and finding a way to move forward will be challenging.