AfD's Electoral Success in Saxony-Anhalt: From Political Impotence to Destruction

In the recent elections in Saxony-Anhalt, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured over 44 percent of the vote, a result that underscores deep political disillusionment. The party's success is attributed to its ability to channel feelings of political powerlessness into a promise to dismantle the despised status quo. A significant mobilization of non-voters indicates that many residents believe the political system has failed them, with 83 percent expressing dissatisfaction with the federal government. The article argues that the AfD offers an outlet for this alienation, transforming impotence into perceived agency. It warns that continuing with 'more of the same'—including social cuts and military buildup—ignores the severity of the crisis. The piece, authored by Sebastian Baehr, appears in the German newspaper Der Freitag and raises the critical question of who will organize the desire for change in the future.