Russia divide resurfaces as AfD leads in Saxony-Anhalt
The far-right party’s support for ending aid to Ukraine and restoring energy ties with Moscow is resonating as eastern voters revisit old Russia ties.
- Opinion polls suggest the far-right AfD could secure its first state-level victory in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, reigniting intense debate over Germany's Russia policy amid Berlin's accusations of espionage and infrastructure attacks.
- Decades of Soviet troops stationed in towns like Naumburg created familiarity with Russia, leading many residents to view Moscow not as a natural enemy but as a business partner offering cheap energy and economic stability.
- Economic grievances fuel this divide: unemployment in Saxony-Anhalt peaked at 22% in 2003, and the 2026 Competitiveness Report East Germany shows East Germans hold only a quarter of the wealth of West Germans.
- The AfD demands an end to support for Ukraine and renewed energy agreements with Moscow, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition accuses the party of favoring Russian President Vladimir Putin and waging hybrid warfare.
- Local native Stefan Zimmerer warns that labeling East Germans as 'Putin's friends' only deepens resentment, as voters feel national politics from Berlin ignores their specific concerns regarding regional prosperity and stability.
10 Articles
10 Articles
According to an Ipsos survey, many in Germany are concerned about the strength of the AfD. The majority support the fire wall, with views on the left.
According to opinion polls, the AfD is poised to win in Saxony-Anhalt, but will it be able to take control of the state?
Is the mood in Saxony-Anhalt turning? An AfD victory can be prevented.
For the first time since the Second World War, the AfD is expected to take control of one of the 16 German "Länder". This is particularly worrying for local associations and judicial institutions.
The results for Saxony-Anhalt reflect a general disappointment with the established parties across eastern Germany. The post AfD on the road to historic success in Saxony-Anhalt appeared first on narod.hr.
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