Tue Sep 03 22:09:28 UTC 2024: – Far-right party AfD won state elections in Thuringia, Germany with 32.8% of the vote
– Reflects east-west divide in Germany, with eastern Germans feeling overlooked and dismissed
– Party tapped into historical grievances over perceived neglect by Berlin after reunification
– Economy in the east differs from west, with lower private wealth, pension insurance, and income
– Mass exodus of skilled workers to west after fall of Berlin Wall led to shortage of local youth in workforce
– Immigrant workers now fill void, making up 8.6% of workforce in east compared to 15.5% in west
– AfD’s far-right stance doesn’t deter voters in east, with party labelled “right-wing extremist”
– East Germany views Russia differently due to Soviet rule, Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance calls for end of military support to Ukraine
– Impact of AfD’s win in Thuringia and Saxony on national level remains uncertain, party polling at 16% nationally
– Government tightening immigration laws and pledging to reduce immigration in response to far-right narrative.

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