Volker Best: The Migration Crisis and Its Unexpected Boost for the AfD

In East Germany in particular, AfD is on the rise. What explains its success? An interview with Volker Best (43), associate professor at Martin-Luther University in Halle.

EW Why is Alternative for Germany so popular in East Germany?

Volker Best: ‘For various reasons. The party appeals to voters’ “eastern identity”. In the 2019 elections in Brandenburg, Saxony and Thuringia, it did this with the old GDR election slogan Complete the turnaround – Complete the peaceful revolution. This time with The East does it – The East does it.

‘In addition, the traditional people’s parties have never had strong roots in the East German states since reunification. The party system influenced by West Germany does not find the same resonance in the East. For a long time, the people’s parties got away with this, thanks to party leaders Manfred Stolpe, SPD Prime Minister of Brandenburg from 1990 to 2002, Bernhard Vogel, CDU Prime Minister of Thuringia from 1992 to 2003, and Kurt Biedenkopf, CDU Prime Minister of Saxony from 1990 to 2002. Vogel and Biedenkopf were able to compensate for their lack of ties with East Germany. Their successors were increasingly less successful in this.’

EW AfD was founded in 2013. How was the party able to win hearts in such a short time?

Best: ‘Among other things, due to dissatisfaction with the grand coalitions of the CDU/CSU and the social democratic SPD that started in 2005 with the Merkel I cabinet. Many people were fed up with the internal disputes and felt that the government was not achieving enough. As a result, the parties lost their profile. Something similar happened with the current ‘traffic light’ coalition of the SPD, the Greens and the liberal FDP – three parties that initially described their coalition as progressive.

‘In East Germany, people react pragmatically: if something doesn’t work, we have to try something new. Let’s give the parties that haven’t governed yet – AfD and the left-wing Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht – a chance.

‘And of course the migration crisis in 2015 and 2016 was a “gift” for the AfD, as later honorary chairman Alexander Gauland said.’

EW Relatively few immigrants live in East Germany. So where does the AfD come from?

Best: ‘The fact that the share of immigrants is small leads to an aversion to foreigners. Perhaps counterintuitively, but that is not only the case in East Germany. And here there are no stories of successful integration like in the Ruhr area, where guest workers from Turkey and Italy contributed to the economic success.

‘From the perspective of the AfD, East Germany still has a homogeneous German people that must be preserved. AfD members spread conspiracy theories that evil political elites want to replace the population with migrants. In the East, there are many sparsely populated areas, with places where the reception of sixty to seventy refugees is immediately noticeable. That is much more drastic there than for a city with millions. The resistance is greater.’

EW How organized is AfD in the East?

Best: ‘The AfD factions in Brandenburg, Saxony and Thuringia work closely together. The politicians at the top support each other during election meetings. They hardly differ in content. In addition to their views on migration, there are more similarities: scepticism about support for Ukraine and the tendency to be Russia-friendly. This ties in with the positive image of Russia during the GDR.

‘At the end of last year, the university in Halle, where I work, held a discussion on how to deal with the AfD. Half of the regional AfD faction was in the audience, and first asked why the party was being portrayed in a bad light.’

EW CDU has erected a cordon sanitaire: the ‘fire wall’. Can AfD govern?

Best: ‘The firewall against AfD is self-evident when it comes to the Federal Government. It is said that this may be different in the eastern German states and municipalities. Two-thirds of the CDU members in the east question the firewall. Nevertheless, Michael Kretschmer, CDU Prime Minister of Saxony, will probably follow the national party line.

‘I am most concerned about Thuringia. There, the CDU, while in opposition, submitted several motions in which it knew that a majority could only be achieved with AfD. It is not inconceivable that the party leader could be elected as head of a minority government, although officially this can only be done with the consent of the CDU.

‘But AfD will not be able to take on government responsibility. AfD’s migration plans are simply unworkable. At the same time, a stricter deportation policy, as promised by many other parties, will not take the wind out of the sails of right-wing populist parties.’

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Here are some People Also Ask (PAA) related questions ‌for the title **”The⁣ Rise of⁢ Alternative for ​Germany (AfD) in⁣ East Germany: Understanding the Party’s Success”**:

The Rise of Alternative for⁢ Germany (AfD) in⁤ East⁣ Germany: Understanding the Party’s ​Success

In recent years, ‍the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has ‌experienced a significant surge in popularity in East Germany, leading many to wonder what explains its success in this region. An interview with Volker Best, an associate professor at Martin-Luther University in Halle, provides⁢ valuable insights into the party’s appeal and growing influence in East Germany.

Appealing to Eastern Identity

One reason for the AfD’s success in East ​Germany is its ability to ⁢tap into the region’s distinct ‌identity. The party has effectively utilized old GDR election⁣ slogans, such as “Complete⁣ the turnaround” and “The East does​ it,” to⁤ resonate with voters who feel a strong sense of ‌eastern identity [[1]]. This appeal to regional‌ pride has ⁣helped the AfD connect ⁤with‍ East ⁤Germans who feel that‌ traditional ⁣people’s parties have never had​ strong roots in the region.

Dissatisfaction with Traditional Parties

Another factor contributing to⁣ the AfD’s rise is dissatisfaction with the⁣ traditional‍ parties, which have been‌ plagued by internal⁢ disputes and a perceived lack of achievement. The‌ grand coalitions of the CDU/CSU and SPD, which began in 2005, have ‍led to a ‌loss ​of profile⁤ for these parties, creating an opportunity for the​ AfD to fill the void [[2]]. ⁣Additionally, the migration crisis‌ in 2015 and 2016 has been a “gift” for the AfD, allowing ​the party to⁤ capitalize on concerns ‍about immigration and security.

Aversion to Foreigners

Despite having relatively few immigrants, East​ Germany ‌has seen a significant rise in anti-immigrant⁢ sentiment, which the AfD has been able to tap into. ⁤The‌ party’s narrative of preserving a homogeneous German people⁣ has ‍resonated with many East Germans, who feel that⁤ their way of life is under threat from immigration. This sentiment is particularly strong in sparsely populated areas, where the reception of even⁢ small ⁣numbers of refugees has been met with resistance [[3]].

Organizational Strength

The AfD has also demonstrated organizational‍ strength in the East, with factions in⁢ Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia working closely together. Politicians ‌at the top of the party⁢ support each other during election meetings, and there is a high degree ​of​ consistency in ‍their views on migration and other issues. This cohesion has helped ‌the party to‌ present a united front and capitalize on its ‌growing popularity.

Challenges to Traditional ⁢Parties

The AfD’s rise has significant implications for traditional parties in East Germany. The⁣ CDU’s “firewall” against the AfD may not be as effective in the eastern states and ‍municipalities, where‌ two-thirds⁣ of ⁣CDU members question the firewall. ⁢This could lead to the AfD playing a more significant role in regional governments, potentially even forming a minority government in Thuringia.

the AfD’s⁤ success in East Germany can be attributed to a combination of factors, including ⁤its appeal to regional identity, ‌dissatisfaction⁢ with traditional parties, and capitalization on concerns ‌about​ immigration and security. As the party continues to grow in ​influence, it poses a significant challenge to traditional parties and the political status ‍quo in East Germany.

References:

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Here are some PAA (People Also Ask) related questions for the title: **The Rise of Alternative for Germany (AfD) in East Germany: Understanding the Party’s Success**:

The Rise of Alternative for Germany (AfD) in East Germany: Understanding the Party’s Success

In East Germany, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has been on the rise, winning hearts and gaining popularity in a relatively short period. But what explains its success in this region? According to Volker Best, an associate professor at Martin-Luther University in Halle, the party’s appeal to voters’ “eastern identity” and dissatisfaction with traditional people’s parties are key factors contributing to its success.

EW Why is Alternative for Germany so popular in East Germany?

The AfD’s popularity in East Germany can be attributed to its ability to tap into voters’ sense of “eastern identity”. The party has successfully leveraged old GDR election slogans, such as “Complete the turnaround” and “The East does it”, to resonate with voters in the region. Additionally, traditional people’s parties have never had strong roots in East Germany since reunification, leaving a gap that the AfD has been able to fill.

EW AfD was founded in 2013. How was the party able to win hearts in such a short time?

The AfD’s rapid rise to popularity can be attributed to factors such as dissatisfaction with grand coalitions and the migration crisis in 2015 and