The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved notable success in the recent federal elections, securing the second position and experiencing a significant increase in voter support compared to four years prior—marking the best performance for a far-right party in Germany since World War II. Certain factions within the AfD have been labeled as extremist by German intelligence agencies.

How did this development occur in a nation that has grappled with the severe repercussions of far-right extremism in its past?

Experts have highlighted the influence of immigration, particularly the influx of Muslim refugees from Syria and other Middle Eastern regions during the mid-2010s. This situation has prompted many voters to shift allegiance from historically dominant center-left and center-right parties.

However, recent studies indicate there may be additional contributing factors. The AfD garnered its largest support in Eastern Germany, where young individuals are relocating from older industrial zones and rural settings in search of better opportunities in urban areas.

These economically disadvantaged regions are caught in a demographic downward spiral characterized by a declining and aging populace, deteriorating public services, and sluggish economic growth. This scenario has created a conducive environment for the AfD’s rise. Moreover, as the far-right party advocates for stringent anti-immigration policies, their growing influence is applying pressure to reduce immigration—a move that could intensify the challenges faced by these shrinking, aging communities.

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