June 4, 2023
2 mins read

German far right surges in polls

Prominent figures in Germany’s political mainstream are raising the alarm after a new poll showed support for the country’s leading far-right party at a record high….reports Asian Lite News

Alternative for Germany rejects claims that it is linked to extremists, but head of domestic intelligence has warned of ‘astonishing parallels’ with the 1920s and 1930s

Prominent figures in Germany’s political mainstream are raising the alarm after a new poll showed support for the country’s leading far-right party at a record high.

The latest release from the DeutschlandTrend survey, which is conducted monthly by infratest dimap for public broadcaster ARD, clocks voter support for Alternative for Germany (Alternative für Deutschland, AfD) at 18%, putting it on a par with Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats.

The poll of 1,302 voters represents a major boost for AfD since the 2021 election, in which AfD received 10.3% to the Social Democrats’ 25.7%. The margin of error was up to 3 percentage points.

Norbert Roettgen, a senior lawmaker for the main opposition Christian Democrats, described the poll as “a disaster” and “an alarm signal for all parties in the centre”.

Roettgen, whose party came in at 29% in the same survey, said his own center-right party should ask itself why it hasn’t profited as much from voters’ disillusionment with the current government, which replaced a coalition led by Angela Merkel.

Another Christian Democrat, Serap Guler, said AfD’s growing support should alarm all democratic parties. “We bear responsibility for changing this again quickly,” she said late Thursday.

Sawsan Chebli, a member of the Social Democrats, tweeted after the polls were published: “The AfD is at 18 percent. People, wake the hell up!”

AfD and its affiliates have come under scrutiny from the country’s domestic intelligence agency, BfV, because of ties to extremists.

The head of the agency warned recently of “astonishing parallels” between the present and the 1920s and 1930s, which saw a rise in political extremism and authoritarianism that culminated in the Nazi dictatorship.

This does not mean the party’s rising support is rock solid. About two-thirds of those who supported AfD in the latest poll said they did so out of frustration at mainstream parties, rather than because they were convinced by the far right’s policies.

Nonetheless, the AfD is thought to stand a good chance of winning the largest share of the vote in three state elections in eastern Germany next year. That would put mainstream parties in the awkward position of having to form a broad coalition against the strongest party.

AfD last hit 18% in the DeutschlandTrend survey in September 2018 during a particularly stressful time for then-Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition government.

Scholz’s three-party coalition with the Greens and the centre-right Free Democrats has also faced strong headwinds recently.

Along with high immigration figures and a controversial plan to replace millions of home heating systems in the country, the government is working hard to bolster public support for Germany’s military aid to  Ukraine.

Its stance on the conflict represents a major change from German foreign policy of the last several decades, and is rejected by a sizeable portion of the populace –though it still enjoys majority support.

ALSO READ: Germany to close four Russian consulates

Previous Story

Sikhs may no longer have to wear bike helmets in California

Next Story

Sudan Army urges Saudi-US help to restart negotiation

Latest from -Top News

Industry Hails India-UK FTA

£34 billion boost, sweeping tariff cuts and market access mark UK’s most ambitious post-Brexit trade pact; Indian sectors set for exports surge…reports Asian Lite News Business leaders from both India and the

India, UK Sign Landmark FTA

The pact is set to make imported goods like Scotch whisky, gin, luxury cars, cosmetics, and medical devices more affordable for Indian consumers….reports Asian Lite News In a landmark moment for India-UK

Farmers Win Big in India-UK FTA

There is a massive gain for rural India and exporters with zero duty on processed foods compared with up to 70 per cent earlier….reports Asian Lite News The India-UK Free Trade Agreement

Modi-Starmer Meet Ahead of FTA Signing

During the discussions, the two sides will also review the progress of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)…reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called on Keir Starmer at the

Hindu Temple Vandalised in Melbourne

Confirming the incident, Victoria Police mentioned they are investigating “four linked incidents in Boronia,” including the temple and two restaurants….reports Asian Lite News In a deeply disturbing incident of racial violence, a
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Germany Rules Out Anomalies in Aid to Palestinians

The German announcement of the aid review had sparked a

Pakistan Protests Attack on Frankfurt Consulate

The video being shared on social media depicts the protesters