Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has risen to become the strongest political force in the country, surpassing Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative bloc with approximately 26% support in recent opinion polls.
Rising Support and Upcoming Elections
This surge in momentum comes as Germany prepares for key state elections in five regions in 2026. The AfD has already doubled its support across these states, with recent surveys indicating as much as 39% support in Saxony-Anhalt and 38% in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. These figures could potentially allow the party to participate in government or obstruct coalition building in those regions.
Experts, including Professor Matthias Quent, a prominent expert on far-right movements, emphasize that the AfD is not shifting toward the political center. Instead, its rhetoric and organizational structures are becoming increasingly radical.
Internal Government Struggles and Exploitation of Discontent
Professor Quent attributes the AfD’s rise, in part, to the difficulties facing Chancellor Merz’s conservative-left coalition government, which took office in May 2025. He stated that the government is “caught between conflicts and crises on a global level while facing internal disputes among the parties,” and is under pressure from unfulfilled promises.
According to Quent, the AfD is capitalizing on this situation to create the impression that mainstream parties are unable to address the country’s challenges. Tensions within the governing coalition have intensified, with disagreements over migration, military service reform, pension policy, and budget priorities.
A Forsa poll from December 16-19 indicated that the coalition would not secure a parliamentary majority if federal elections were held at that time. Support for the CDU/CSU fell from 28.5% in February to 24%, while the SPD declined from 16.4% to 13%.
Youth Outreach and Social Media’s Role
The AfD recently launched “Generation Deutschland,” a new youth organization designed to attract younger voters. This outreach has been successful, with the AfD becoming the second strongest force among voters aged 16 to 24 in the 2024 European Parliament elections, a shift from previous support for the Green Party. The party also emerged as the most popular among young voters in regional elections in Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg in 2024.
Romy Arnold, project manager at MOBIT, a Thuringia-based organization combating right-wing extremism, noted that mainstream parties have “left young people out in the cold.” She observed that the AfD is actively engaging with young voters, meeting them “where they are.”
Arnold also emphasized the significant role of social media in the current far-right movement, noting that radicalization is occurring at a faster pace than in the 1990s due to platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Looking Ahead
The AfD’s positions and its youth wing have prompted mass protests across Germany, with tens of thousands urging democratic parties to unite against extremism and resist any cooperation with the AfD. While Germany maintains a strong civil society committed to defending democracy, NGOs working in this field face potential funding cuts.
Professor Quent warns that cooperation with the AfD would likely further normalize the party’s extremist views, benefiting the far-right rather than weakening it. He stresses the importance of center-right and conservative parties drawing clear lines and rebuilding trust in democratic institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is driving the AfD’s recent surge in popularity?
According to Professor Quent, the AfD’s rise is linked to internal struggles within the current coalition government and the party’s ability to exploit discontent by reinforcing the impression that mainstream parties cannot solve the country’s problems.
How is the AfD engaging with young voters?
The AfD launched “Generation Deutschland,” a youth organization, and actively campaigns to reach young voters, addressing them directly and meeting them in spaces where they are present, unlike many mainstream parties.
What role is social media playing in the rise of far-right extremism in Germany?
Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are facilitating faster radicalization and providing new networking opportunities for far-right groups, allowing them to reach young people more effectively than in the past.
How might Germany’s political landscape change as the country approaches the 2026 state elections?
