State Elections in Thuringia, Saxony and Brandenburg - Extreme Parties on the Rise?
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) became Germany's strongest political force in the regional elections in Thuringia and Saxony.
The newly founded Alliance of Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) is making a lasting impression on the German political landscape. In view of the fragmentation of the parties and the rise of the extremes, forming a stable government it is becoming increasingly difficult for the traditional parties.
The voters turnout expresses the will to sanction the policies of the three-party coalition between the social democrats, Greens and Liberals.
The election reflects the special characteristics of eastern Germany, but also has implications for the established parties at federal level with regard to the federal elections in September 2025.
Jeanette Süß is Research Fellow at the Study Committee on Franco-German (Cerfa) at the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri), working in particular on the European Union and the Franco-German relations.
This publication is available in French (pdf): "Les élections régionales en Thuringe, en Saxe et en Brandebourg. Raz-de-marée pour les extrêmes ?".
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State Elections in Thuringia, Saxony and Brandenburg - Extreme Parties on the Rise?
Author(s)
Jeanette SÜß
Research Fellow, Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa), Ifri
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The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) was created in 1954 by an inter-governmental agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and France, in order to raise awareness of Germany in France and analyze Franco-German relations, including in their European and international dimensions. In its conferences and seminars, which bring together experts, political leaders, senior decision-makers and representatives of civil society from both countries, Cerfa develops the Franco-German debate and stimulates political proposals. It regularly publishes studies through two collections: Cerfa notes and studies as well as Franco-German visions.
Cerfa maintains close relations with the network of German foundations and think tanks. In addition to its research and debate activities, Cerfa promotes the emergence of a new Franco-German generation through original cooperation programs. This is how in 2021-2022, Cerfa led a program on multilateralism with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Paris. This program is aimed at young professionals from both countries interested in the issues of multilateralism in the context of their activities. It covered a wide range of themes relating to multilateralism, such as international trade, health, human rights and migration, non-proliferation and disarmament. Previously, Cerfa had participated in the Franco-German future dialogue, co-led with the DGAP from 2007 to 2020, and supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation and the Daniel Vernet group (formerly the Franco-German Reflection Group) which was founded in 2014 upon the initiative of the Genshagen Foundation.
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