Historians Split on Why Eastern Germany Embraces Far-Right Populism
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) draws its strongest support in eastern Germany, a pattern linked to the country's Cold War division and reunification. Historians, however, offer competing explanations for why this region has become a populist stronghold. The party's rise mirrors similar movements across Europe and the United States, but its eastern German base remains a particular focus of debate.
The AfD's eastern German stronghold is tied to the legacy of the country's division and reunification, with support roughly twice as high in the east as in the west. A record 44 percent result in Saxony-Anhalt's September 6 state election illustrates this regional concentration. Similar populist parties exist across Europe and the United States, but the eastern German pattern remains a distinct focus of historical debate.
Historian Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk, who grew up in a GDR regime family but later rebelled, attributes the eastern mentality to the state's totalitarian nature. He argues the regime controlled all aspects of life through schools, party structures, and workplaces, reinforced by the Stasi's surveillance network. His personal account, detailed in "Freedom Shock," includes being denied university admission for breaking with the system.
The competing historical explanations could shape how German policymakers respond to the AfD's rise. If the totalitarian legacy view gains traction, it may shift focus toward civic education and confronting authoritarian mindsets in the east. Alternatively, emphasizing post-unification economic grievances could lead to different regional policies. The stark East-West electoral divide may deepen societal polarization, affecting trust in democratic institutions and complicating coalition politics as mainstream parties struggle to address a populist base that feels historically marginalized.