Episode 110: The Continued Strength of the AfD

What this episode covers

The eastern German states of Saxony and Thuringia will vote in state elections on September 1, and Brandenburg will vote on September 22. The populist radical-right Alternative for Germany (Alternative für Deutschland, AfD) finished in second place in the 2024 European Parliament elections, and they are polling in first place in all three states. What explains the growing strength of the party, despite its increasing extremism and a series of recent scandals? AGI Non-Resident Senior Fellow Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger joins The Zeitgeist to discuss the strong performances of the AfD, what attracts voters to the party (and its extreme-left counterpart, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, BSW), and how governing parties are responding to this changing and fragmenting political landscape. Host Jeff Rathke, President, AGI Guests Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger, AGI Non-Resident Senior Fellow Eric Langenbacher, AGI Senior Fellow; Director, Society, Culture & Politics Program