New era of hard-right influence in Germany Europe’s extremist surge

The Economist article delves into the rise of extremist political parties in Europe, focusing on recent developments in Germany and drawing comparisons with other European countries. The immediate trigger for the discussion is the electoral performance of the hard-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which achieved a narrow loss in Saxony and a significant lead in Thuringia. This marks the first state election win for the AfD since World War II, underscoring a troubling trend.

Despite Thuringia's relatively small population, its political dynamics are emblematic of broader shifts. Nationally, the AfD enjoys 16-17% support, with other extreme parties also gaining traction. This reflects a wider pattern across Europe: in France, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally and Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s Unsubmissive France command substantial parliamentary influence, while Italy’s hard-right parties collectively garnered 35% of the vote in the 2022 election. Austria’s Freedom Party leads in upcoming polls, and Hungary’s ultra-nationalist leadership reflects similar trends.

The article highlights the challenges moderate governments face in this environment. To exclude extremists, mainstream parties often form unwieldy coalitions that struggle to govern effectively, which in turn fuels further support for anti-establishment parties. This cycle of disappointment and extremism is visible in Germany’s fragmented three-party coalition and the slow formation of state governments in Thuringia and Saxony. France’s ongoing struggle to appoint a prime minister further exemplifies the difficulties.

The article explores various strategies for dealing with extremism. In Italy and France, some hard-right leaders are moderating their positions to gain broader acceptance. Sweden and the Netherlands offer examples where extremist parties have been included in coalitions but with moderated policies. However, the approach has been less successful in Austria.

Germany’s situation is particularly complex. The AfD’s extreme elements are well-documented, and there is significant resistance to including the party in governance. The article argues that addressing the grievances fueling extremist support is crucial. This includes managing energy transition costs, local issues like teacher shortages, and immigration challenges. Effective management of these issues could mitigate the appeal of extremist parties and stabilize the political center.