In today's world, the shift of the political spectrum from left to right has become increasingly evident due to factors such as the ongoing immigration crisis from the Middle East and the profound economic transformations driven by technology. Many people are turning to anti-immigrant radical right parties in search of solutions, as seen in election results in Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.

This article explores the rise of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the German state of Thuringia, analyzing the economic, social, and political factors contributing to its success, as well as the broader implications of this phenomenon.

Thuringia, Germany’s sixth-largest state by area and fifth by population, has long harbored a conservative and nationalist sentiment, particularly among communities that feel marginalized compared to the western part of the country. The AfD, with its radical right-wing stance, has effectively capitalized on these sentiments, positioning itself as a voice for these discontented populations.

Founded in February 2013 by Bernd Lucke, Konrad Adam, and Alexander Gauland, the AfD initially emerged as a neoliberal political movement. However, its real breakthrough came in 2017, with the refugee crisis of 2015 playing a significant role in boosting its popularity. During the 2013-2017 period, the party gained significant traction, fueled by nationalist rhetoric and anti-immigration policies.

By 2017, 89% of AfD voters supported the party’s stringent immigration policies, prioritizing stricter national borders (Mudde, 2017). The AfD was also one of the few German parties that openly supported Brexit and the election of Donald Trump in the U.S. in 2016, further aligning itself with global right-wing populist movements.

The Arab Spring, political instability in the Middle East, and the Syrian and Libyan crises of 2014-2016 significantly contributed to mass migration into Europe. The AfD exploited these events, transforming immigration into a central political issue in Germany.

The rise of the AfD presents significant challenges to democracy and social cohesion. Historian Matthias Quent argues that the radical right’s ideology contradicts the German Constitution, particularly the principle of equality. The AfD's policies, rooted in nationalism and exclusionary rhetoric, revive elements of historical far-right ideologies, including the controversial term Völkisch, which was used during the Nazi era to define the German people as a superior race.

The party’s hostility towards immigrants, refugees, and Muslims has raised concerns about social division and xenophobia. For example, after the 2015 refugee crisis, the AfD actively opposed Chancellor Angela Merkel’s open-door policy and proposed severe measures that restricted migrants' access to housing, employment, and social services. The party has also promoted anti-Islamic rhetoric, advocating for mosque closures, headscarf bans, and tighter immigration controls.

Additionally, the AfD’s stance on media freedom is another cause for alarm. Party leaders frequently discredit journalists and media outlets that criticize their policies, sometimes leading to threats and attacks against reporters. These tactics undermine press freedom and weaken democratic norms by fostering an “us vs. them” mentality.

The 2025 German federal election brought notable shifts in the country’s political landscape. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU) emerged as the leading party with 28.5% of the vote, while the AfD secured an unprecedented 20.8%, making it the second-largest party in Germany.

The AfD’s success was particularly striking in the former East German states, where it emerged as the dominant party. Among voters aged 18-29, the AfD ranked second with 21%, while it secured first place among those aged 30-44 with 26% of the vote.

Despite this surge, mainstream German parties, including the CDU/CSU, Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP), continue to reject any coalition with the AfD. This political isolation strategy, often referred to as "cordon sanitaire," prevents extremist parties from gaining power in democratic systems.

Although Germany’s history with Nazism has led to strong societal resistance against far-right policies, the AfD’s rise in the 2025 elections underscores shifting political dynamics in Europe. The party’s growing influence poses significant challenges to Germany’s democratic values, social stability, and political alliances.

While the possibility of an AfD-led coalition remains unlikely, the party’s success signals the need for mainstream parties to reassess their policies and engage in stronger dialogue with disillusioned voters. Without proactive measures, the AfD’s rise may inspire similar far-right movements across Europe and beyond, shaping the future of global politics.