Friedrich Merz links AfD gains in East Germany to disappointed hopes
CDU leader Friedrich Merz attributes the rising popularity of the AfD in East Germany to citizens' disappointed expectations. He warns of the risks posed by right-wing populist parties. This statement comes amid growing poll data showing AfD strength in the East.
Friedrich Merz, chairman of the CDU, has shed light on the reasons for the rise of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in East Germany in an interview with 'Spiegel'. According to Merz, the party primarily benefits from the 'disappointed hopes' of people in the East, who had high expectations of unity and prosperity after reunification that were not fully met.
Merz stated: 'The AfD profits in East Germany from disappointed hopes.' He points to ongoing economic and social disparities between East and West Germany that fuel persistent frustrations. These stem from persistent wage gaps, youth migration, and a sense of political disadvantage.
The CDU politician views the AfD as a threat to democracy and calls for more investments in the East to address the root causes of dissatisfaction. He advocates for a strong conservative alternative that takes Eastern Germans' concerns seriously without slipping into populism.
Background: The AfD achieves poll ratings of around 30 percent in the East, while it fares weaker nationwide. Merz's remarks come ahead of the 2025 federal election and ongoing debates on European policy and migration, issues on which the AfD seeks to capitalize.
Experts partly share Merz's analysis but emphasize that global factors like inflation and the energy crisis also contribute. The debate highlights Germany's enduring divisions.