THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
The recent state elections in Thuringia and Saxony have caused significant political tremors in Germany, highlighting the growing strength of far-right movements and raising concerns about the future of its democratic system. In Thuringia, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved a historic win, becoming the first far-right party since World War II to win a state election, securing 33% of the vote. In Saxony, the AfD also performed strongly, coming a close second with 30.8%, just behind the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at 32%.
These results reflect a dramatic shift away from Germany’s mainstream centrist parties. In Thuringia, the left-wing coalition in power saw a sharp decline, with The Left party losing over half its voter base, and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) recording its worst performance in any postwar state election. The Greens and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) failed to meet the 5% parliamentary threshold, further highlighting the collapse of traditional parties.
The AfD’s success raises serious concerns for German democracy. One significant issue is the normalization of extreme right-wing views, which were once considered beyond the bounds of mainstream politics. In Thuringia, the AfD’s control of over a third of the state assembly’s seats could enable them to obstruct key decisions, such as judicial appointments. This political shift also highlights the fragmentation of Germany’s political landscape, making coalition-building and effective governance more difficult. The AfD’s rhetoric, which often includes anti-immigration and anti-democratic sentiments, could erode social cohesion and trust in democratic institutions.
Internationally, Germany’s reputation as a champion of liberal democracy within Europe may be at risk, which could affect its leadership role within the European Union. The factors behind the AfD’s rise are multifaceted and include economic disparities between eastern and western Germany, concerns over immigration, disillusionment with mainstream parties, and the AfD’s effective use of social media and populist messaging.
The election results in Thuringia and Saxony serve as a critical warning for democratic forces to address the underlying causes driving voters toward the far-right while preserving democratic norms. A new state parliament will be elected also in Brandenburg on 22 September. According to the latest polls, the AfD could also win the most votes in the state.
While other parties have ruled out forming coalitions with the AfD, limiting its ability to govern directly, their growing influence in parliament will undoubtedly shape policy debates and the overall political atmosphere in Germany.
Sola Jolaoso
