The AfD’s win in Germany is a dark day for Europe. Time is running out to stop the far right
This party is among the most extreme in Europe. To protect our democracies, liberal parties must urgently change their tactics
TL;DR
- The far-right AfD's substantial gains in Saxony-Anhalt, while not an outright majority, represent a dangerous normalization of extremist politics.
- The trend of far-right parties gaining strength and fragmenting party systems is a challenge across Europe, making coalition formation difficult.
- Maintaining a 'firewall' against the AfD is insufficient; a proactive strategy is needed to strengthen liberal democracy and address voter dissatisfaction.
- Mainstream parties must develop inspiring manifestos focusing on issues beyond immigration and crime, such as housing, public spending, inequality, and climate change.
- The fight is for democracy itself, requiring a collective effort from politicians, citizens, and journalists to show realism, resilience, and restraint.