Germany’s party system is coming under unprecedented strain
Forming governments after the eastern state elections looks nightmarish
IT COULD HAVE been even worse. That was the only consolation for opponents of the hard-right Alternative for Germany (afd), which on September 1st secured its first-ever state-election win, in Thuringia, and in neighbouring Saxony ran the centre-right Christian Democrats (cdu) a close second. At least many anti-afd voters lent their support to the cdu to bolster opposition to the radicals. The Brandmauer (firewall) against the afd remains intact, ensuring it cannot take office. But few could avoid the conclusion expressed by Olaf Scholz, Germany’s chancellor, that the results were “bitter”. Nor the anxiety that attends the start of a lengthy period of coalition talks in the two eastern states.
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This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Of firewalls and fragmentation”
Europe September 7th 2024
- Germany’s party system is coming under unprecedented strain
- American restrictions on hitting Russia are hurting Ukraine
- Abuse by priests in Italy can no longer be tolerated by the Vatican
- The obstacles faced by Turkey’s winemakers
- The West still needs Russian gas that comes through Ukraine
- Europe must beware the temptations of technocracy
From the September 7th 2024 edition
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