Link to article: https://apnews.com/article/germany-saxony-anhalt-election-far-right-afd-c538060710a2495c72425b6468df0d40
Germany’s far right party, the AfD (Alternative for Deutschland), had an unprecedented victory in the Saxony-Anhalt regional election on Sunday, gaining just under half of the popular vote. Unfortunately for them, they were unable to secure a majority within the parliament of the state. Had the party won the majority, it would have been Germany’s first state controlled by a far-right party since World War II. The Christian Democratic Union, the party of Germany’s leader Merz who is not popular currently, received a low result in the Saxony-Anhalt election. Key values held by the AfD party include anti-immigration laws, specifically from Muslim nations, a desire to increase relations with Russia and cut support for Ukraine, and more conservative-leading ideologies. The AfD has been labeled by some as an extremist group, with some allegations of Neo-Nazism ideals, despite AfD officials strongly denying these claims. Due to the many powers given to states in the German government, many Germans, including other surrounding European nations, are worried for the future of Germany and the AfD’s plans of Russian cooperation. Resulting AfD decisions could also drastically impact the immigration crisis from the Middle East, cutting support for refugees.
The article notably demonstrates the tense and volatile political situation of not only Germany or Europe, but of the world. With controversy surrounding Trump’s leadership, to the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and now to the rise of far right extremist parties in Germany, the global sphere of politics and relations is ever-changing and developing in a time of interconnectedness more than ever. Should the AfD seek further power and more monumental election victories, the way Germany interacts with the rest of Europe, especially with respects to the Ukrainian invasion, would be drastically changed. With the AfD taking an approach of Russian cooperation and a desire to cut funding for Ukraine, Germany could change the dynamic of the war as an economic powerhouse of the world. Following this election, the AfD most likely will continue to try to win over and appease the German public especially under unpopular leadership. Other German parties will counter this by spreading their own agendas, also wishing to appeal to the masses. Finally, the EU and neighboring nations will attempt to alleviate the negative impacts brought on by the new German leadership and try to stop their rise to power.
This situation applies to our course concept of legitimacy. Germany, being a democratic nation in which power is given through free and electoral means and standards, will grant governing power and therefore legitimacy to the party or group that is elected and represents the will of the people. Legitimacy is given by the governed. The people of Germany, unhappy with current leadership, will vote out Merz and replace his legitimacy to govern by the regime they will vote in. This demonstrates the various means of how a people may replace their leaders, and the impact the concept of legitimacy has over the ability to govern a state or people.