Left-Leaning Alternatives for Germany (AfD) and Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance in Thuringia and Saxony

It was populism and extremism that won in Sunday’s elections in the neighboring states of Thuringia and Saxony, both in what was formerly East Germany. The Alternative for Germany (AfD), an anti-immigrant, anti-Islam, anti-European Union party that has been formally branded extremist in both states, came in first in Thuringia and second in Saxony, while a strange left-conservative populist hybrid, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, known by its German initials, B.S.W., and named after the former Communist who formed it a few months ago, came in third in both.

The left wing party is against Germany’s support of the war in Ukraine, but it wants a solution to the conflict. The B SW could cause more left leaning voters to desert the Chancellor’s party, which could result in a loss of votes.

German voters are becoming increasingly frustrated with a recent influx of migrants because the country’s economy is stagnant.

A Syrian man stabbed to death 3 people and wounded several others at a festival in western Germany last week, making him the fourth person to die at the event.

The man was supposed to be deported after the attack but it was discovered that he was.

With enough seats in both states, the nationalist, Russia-friendly party could block the election of judges and top security officials requiring a two-thirds vote.

The Bsw won more than 15% of seats in Thringen and more than 9% of seats in the parliament after being founded just eight months ago.

It underscores how unpopular the parties in power on a national level are with voters, as evidenced by the large losses they have suffered in the state elections.

In eastern Germany the sense is intensified by the fact that the West is the same country. Thuringia was one of the states most devastated by the collapse of industries that followed the reunification of Germany, and though its economy has rebounded somewhat, it still suffers from a westward exodus, especially of young women. Real men stand on the far right are some of the messages the AfD party successfully targeted young men. Real men are patriots. That is the easiest way to find a girlfriend.

One immediate question is what the results will mean for Germany. At the opposite end of the political spectrum, B.S.W. and theAfD are almost indistinguishable in their positions on immigration and Ukraine. Both are friendly to Russia and against supporting Ukraine. German foreign policy is shaped by the federal government, which is not likely to reduce Germany’s military or political support for Ukraine anytime soon. But a signal has been sent.

The immediate problem will be how to form governments in the two states. The Christian Democratic Union will likely have to try to form a coalition government with B since it has declared that it will not join any coalition with the AfD. It won’t be easy.