The upcoming elections in eastern German states Thuringia, Saxony, and Brandenburg are raising concerns due to the rise of the far-right AfD party. Led by Björn Höcke, the AfD's anti-immigration and extremist views have garnered support, leading in polls.
To counter the AfD, a new left-wing party, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), has emerged, criticizing the current government under Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The CDU leader Friedrich Merz has called for tighter immigration policies following the Solligen attack.
In Saxony, CDU's Michael Kretschmer is the current state premier and is facing challenges from the AfD. The socialist Left Party (Die Linke) has previously governed Thuringia and may face a loss in the upcoming elections.
The political landscape is uncertain, with potential shifts in power and the possibility of coalitions. The election results will have significant implications for the future direction of these states and may impact the political system.
Overall, the elections highlight the challenges faced by mainstream parties in countering the rise of far-right populism and extremism. Strategies such as forming new alliances and addressing concerns around immigration are being employed to mitigate the influence of the AfD.
