AfD advances; CDU rejects cooperation
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The far right AfD gained ground in recent German state elections, triggering debate over the "Brandmauer" and highlighting the CDU's vow not to cooperate with AfD or Left.
Reposted by Margot C. Finn, Jonathan Portes
On the BBC News Katya Adler has just described Germany, where the far right AFD keep winning elections, as entering 'uncharted political territory'. Hmmm. Where Germany is concerned I think that territory is pretty well charted.
September 21, 2026 at 5:21 PM
On the BBC News Katya Adler has just described Germany, where the far right AFD keep winning elections, as entering 'uncharted political territory'. Hmmm. Where Germany is concerned I think that territory is pretty well charted.
by Markus W. Gehring Reposted by Stacy D. VanDeveer
Shocking news from Germany: Populists like the AfD 'make sweeping, unrealistic promises; they invent or exaggerate threats, but once handed power, the 'protector' eliminates rivals, transforms into a full tyrant, and enslaves the very populace that elevated them.' (Plato) www.dw.com/en/afd-makes...
AfD makes gains in elections but has no government option
Despite making significant gains in both Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the far-right AfD remains without options to form a state government.
www.dw.com
September 21, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Shocking news from Germany: Populists like the AfD 'make sweeping, unrealistic promises; they invent or exaggerate threats, but once handed power, the 'protector' eliminates rivals, transforms into a full tyrant, and enslaves the very populace that elevated them.' (Plato) www.dw.com/en/afd-makes...
For all the granular analysis, the recent election results really feel like a symbol of the end of the old German party system.
FDP practically gone, CDU fail to get into a regional parliament for the first time, SPD except in MV an also-ran.
FDP practically gone, CDU fail to get into a regional parliament for the first time, SPD except in MV an also-ran.
September 21, 2026 at 7:38 AM
For all the granular analysis, the recent election results really feel like a symbol of the end of the old German party system.
FDP practically gone, CDU fail to get into a regional parliament for the first time, SPD except in MV an also-ran.
FDP practically gone, CDU fail to get into a regional parliament for the first time, SPD except in MV an also-ran.
by Gerry Hassan
An impressive victory for Die Linke in the Berlin state election winning the popular vote and becoming the largest party in the state legislature. The far-right AfD underperform versus their expectations while the establishment parties the CDU and SPD continue to fall back.
September 21, 2026 at 8:48 AM
An impressive victory for Die Linke in the Berlin state election winning the popular vote and becoming the largest party in the state legislature. The far-right AfD underperform versus their expectations while the establishment parties the CDU and SPD continue to fall back.
Side note: This is not only another very bad result for the CDU, but for the centre-right in general. The FDP doesn't even factor anymore. 1% in MV and likely no more than 2-3% in Berlin. Looks like the populist rebirth of the Free Democrats isn't quite going to plan.
September 20, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Side note: This is not only another very bad result for the CDU, but for the centre-right in general. The FDP doesn't even factor anymore. 1% in MV and likely no more than 2-3% in Berlin. Looks like the populist rebirth of the Free Democrats isn't quite going to plan.
Of course now that the CDU seems to come in below the controversial 5%-threshold, and not the AfD, it may be more open to electoral reform.
September 20, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Of course now that the CDU seems to come in below the controversial 5%-threshold, and not the AfD, it may be more open to electoral reform.
Reposted by Iikka Korhonen
Some interesting insights from Mecklenburg Vorpommern: 59% of AFD voters say they voted AFD because of their programme (as opposed to the candidate).
“Peace in Europe” (aka foreign policy/Ukraine was a reason to vote AFD for 16%, behind social security, immigration and security/order.
“Peace in Europe” (aka foreign policy/Ukraine was a reason to vote AFD for 16%, behind social security, immigration and security/order.
September 21, 2026 at 5:14 AM
Some interesting insights from Mecklenburg Vorpommern: 59% of AFD voters say they voted AFD because of their programme (as opposed to the candidate).
“Peace in Europe” (aka foreign policy/Ukraine was a reason to vote AFD for 16%, behind social security, immigration and security/order.
“Peace in Europe” (aka foreign policy/Ukraine was a reason to vote AFD for 16%, behind social security, immigration and security/order.