Can AfD form Germany’s first far

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Published: 2026-09-06T21:05:19.749Z • Permanent link

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is on the cusp of forming a state government in the eastern state of Thuringia, a move that could potentially mark the country's first far-right state government since World War II. The AfD's success in Thuringia is a significant development, particularly given the state's history of left-wing politics. The party's candidate for prime minister, Bodo Bulling, is a well-known figure in the AfD, having previously served as a member of the party's leadership.

Thuringia's election results, which were announced on December 13, 2021, showed the AfD winning a majority of seats in the state parliament. The party's victory was largely seen as a result of its strong performance in rural areas, where the AfD has traditionally had a significant following. The AfD's success in Thuringia is also being seen as a reflection of the party's growing popularity in Germany more broadly, with opinion polls suggesting that the party could potentially win up to 15% of the vote in the next federal election.

The AfD's potential success in Thuringia has been met with concern by many in Germany's establishment, including the country's outgoing Chancellor, Olaf Scholz. Scholz has warned that the AfD's rise to power could have serious consequences for Germany's democracy and its relationships with other European countries. However, the AfD has dismissed Scholz's concerns, arguing that it is committed to upholding Germany's democratic traditions and values.

The potential success of the AfD in Thuringia has significant implications for Germany's research communities, particularly those focused on far-right extremism and xenophobia. The AfD has been accused of promoting anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant rhetoric, and its success in Thuringia could embolden similar movements in other parts of Germany. As a result, researchers and analysts will be closely watching the AfD's performance in Thuringia and its potential implications for Germany's domestic politics.

The AfD's rise to power in Thuringia also has implications for the global financial markets, particularly those focused on Europe. The AfD's anti-immigrant and anti-EU rhetoric has been seen as a threat to the stability of the eurozone, and its success in Thuringia could lead to increased volatility in the markets. Companies such as Volkswagen and Siemens, which are headquartered in Germany, could also be impacted by the AfD's rise to power, particularly if the party's anti-EU rhetoric leads to increased tensions with the EU.

The potential success of the AfD in Thuringia is part of a larger pattern of far-right movements gaining traction in Europe. The AfD's rise to power in Thuringia is reminiscent of the success of the National Front in France, which won a significant number of seats in the country's parliament in 2017. Similarly, the AfD's anti-immigrant and anti-EU rhetoric has been compared to that of other far-right movements, such as the Freedom Party of Austria and the Sweden Democrats.