AfD Leads in Eastern German States on Reunification Anniversary
The 33rd anniversary of German reunification is marked by a worrying trend. The far-right AfD is leading in polls across all five eastern states, raising alarm bells as German intelligence classifies it as an extremist threat to democracy.
Chancellor-elect Merz acknowledged the deep-seated concerns in eastern Germany. Many feel like 'second-class citizens', haunted by 'fears of decline'. This sentiment is not new; since reunification, around 5 million people have left the east for better opportunities in the west.
The economic disparity is stark. The east remains 20 to 25% poorer than the latter, with GDP per capita at around 66% of that in the west in 2023. Rural areas and firms still face productivity gaps. This is despite significant federal investment in infrastructure, social welfare, and retraining programs in the former East following reunification. The cumulative cost of reunification between 1990 and the mid-2010s was over €2 trillion.
The Treuhand agency oversaw the privatization of state-owned enterprises in the former East, one of the largest public sell-offs in modern history. However, the European Commission forecasts German stagnation in 2025, before a modest rebound in 2026.
The AfD's rise in the east coincides with persistent economic disparities and lingering feelings of disenfranchisement. As Germany marks the anniversary of reunification, addressing these issues becomes increasingly urgent to prevent further political polarization.
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