Recent developments in politics in germany

Recent Developments in AfD (Alternative für Deutschland)

As of November 12, 2025, Germany's far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) continues to face intense scrutiny amid its rising poll numbers, particularly in eastern states, where it is projected to potentially secure unprecedented power in upcoming elections. The party remains the second-largest in the Bundestag and is polling around 26% nationally, maintaining a lead over the governing coalition. Key recent events include:

• Pro-Russia Stance and International Backlash: AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla sparked outrage by stating that Russian President Vladimir Putin poses "no threat" to Germany, instead warning that Poland represents a comparable danger to Russia. This came during a ZDF interview, where he reiterated the party's skepticism toward NATO and EU policies on Ukraine. Separately, two AfD MPs are set to visit Russia for a Europe-Russia cooperation summit in Sochi, prompting accusations of "treason" from opponents who view it as promoting Kremlin interests amid hybrid warfare against Germany.
• Electoral and Legal Pressures: With state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and another eastern state looming in September 2026, analysts question whether the AfD can "breach the electoral firewall"—the informal pact among mainstream parties to exclude it from coalitions. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier hinted at the possibility of banning the AfD, warning against any "co-operation with extremists" while emphasizing democratic safeguards. Jewish leaders, including Central Council President Josef Schuster, have raised alarms over the party's surge, citing its anti-migrant rhetoric and historical parallels to far-right extremism.
• Domestic Controversies: Regional AfD branches in Thuringia and Saxony had their accounts closed by cooperative banks, part of a broader corporate distancing from the party, which decried it as political censorship. Earlier in November, the AfD's provocative "remigration" campaign distributed fake deportation tickets to immigrants, drawing criticism for stoking xenophobia ahead of elections.

Social media discussions on X reflect polarized debates, with AfD figures like Markus Frohnmaier defending the party in TV appearances and critics accusing it of undermining democracy.

Recent Developments in Die Linke (The Left Party)

Die Linke, Germany's democratic socialist party, is navigating internal shifts and activist campaigns as of November 12, 2025, while contending with a fragmented left-wing landscape following high-profile departures. Polling at around 5-7% nationally, it focuses on social justice issues amid economic pressures. Notable updates include:

• Leadership and Splinter Dynamics: Prominent leftist Sahra Wagenknecht, who founded the rival Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) after leaving Die Linke in 2023, announced her step-down as BSW leader but pledged to remain active. This comes as Die Linke pushes a "left-wing, grassroots orientation" to reclaim voter bases, contrasting BSW's more populist appeal. Wagenknecht's move highlights ongoing tensions, with Die Linke attracting younger voters alienated by BSW's strategies.
• Policy Campaigns: The party launched a nationwide "rent price check" initiative against exploitative housing, building on Berlin successes to combat "rent gouging" amid inflation. This aligns with broader anti-austerity efforts, including calls for stronger worker protections and opposition to CDU-proposed cuts like phasing out mini-jobs, which Die Linke warns would harm the middle class.
• Anti-Extremism and Internal Debates: Die Linke has intensified efforts to combat antisemitism and repression, adopting the Jerusalem Declaration as a framework while criticizing AfD's rise in eastern polls (where AfD now leads Greens in Berlin). Party resolutions emphasize fighting censorship and building coalitions against far-right gains, with events like "Revolutionary Ideas 2025" rallying for a renewed socialist platform. Critics within the left accuse the party of being too "lukewarm" on issues like Gaza, but it positions itself as a bulwark against both AfD nationalism and coalition neoliberalism.

On X, discussions often link Die Linke to broader left critiques of migration policies and AfD, with users debating its role in countering right-wing populism. Overall, both parties are emblematic of Germany's polarized politics, with AfD gaining from discontent and Die Linke mobilizing on economic inequities. For real-time updates, monitoring official party channels or news outlets is recommended.

Intensification of Polarized Political Speech in Germany Since July 2025

Since July 2025, Germany's political discourse has markedly intensified in polarization, driven by economic stagnation, migration debates, the AfD's electoral surge, and upcoming state elections in eastern Germany. This period coincides with the formation of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU-led coalition in early 2025, which has faced backlash for perceived concessions to right-wing rhetoric while mainstream parties erect "firewalls" against AfD cooperation. Public sentiment, as captured in social media and studies, reflects deepening divides: left-leaning voices decry "fascism" and "racism," while right-leaning ones accuse the establishment of "totalitarianism" and "censorship." Violence against politicians has risen, with ACLED reporting a spillover of polarization into street protests ahead of federal and state polls. Key developments include:

Major Triggers and Events

• Merz's Migration Rhetoric (October 2025): Chancellor Merz's October 21 statement linking illegal migration to changes in Germany's "cityscape" ignited fierce backlash from SPD, Greens, and media outlets, who labeled it "xenophobic" and "far-right dog-whistling." Critics like SPD's Michael Roth accused it of fueling "völkische Populism" that has "broken" discourse, swinging the "racism club" instead of addressing issues substantively. On X, this sparked threads equating CDU policies to AfD extremism, with users warning of "Islamization" and "revolution" if borders aren't secured. Columnists like Julia Ruhs highlighted how such debates prioritize "language hygiene" over reality, with terms like "irregular migration" sanitizing issues while "cityscape" becomes a slur.
• AfD Surge and "Firewall" Debates (August–November 2025): AfD's polling dominance in eastern states (e.g., leading in Saxony-Anhalt) has amplified calls for its ban, with President Steinmeier's November 9 speech on the anniversary of Kristallnacht implicitly targeting the party as a "threat to democracy." This drew accusations of "totalitarian" incitement against AfD voters, with X users decrying it as "hate speech" that delegitimizes 20%+ of the electorate. Pro-AfD voices frame this as a "leftist unity front" suppressing opposition, while anti-AfD posts equate the party to "Nazis" justifying Antifa violence. A September X analysis noted media's role in focusing on "extremes," radicalizing the center by portraying fringes as mainstream.
• Economic and Social Grievances (September–November 2025): Rising energy prices, layoffs, and inflation have fueled rhetoric blaming "open borders" and "green madness." A September post warned of "radical upheaval" if unaddressed, citing 11 million Muslims as a "power grab" threat—a view echoed in AfD circles but decried as Islamophobic. By November, 75% dissatisfaction with the Merz government amplified calls for "controlled upheaval," with conservatives like Marcel Luthe accusing parties of "plowing under democratic culture."

Evidence from Studies and Media

The "Mitte-Studie" (released November 2025) documented hardening anti-democratic attitudes, with a majority concerned over rising right-wing extremism, yet also noting left-wing "dehumanization" of opponents. Comedian Vince Ebert's September commentary linked this to 50 years of media-driven edge-focus, where talk shows pit extremes for ratings, eroding the moderate center.

Aspect	Left/Center Rhetoric	Right/AfD Rhetoric	Examples from X (Sep–Nov 2025)
Migration	"Xenophobic incitement erodes democracy" (e.g., Roth on Merz)	"Open borders gutted stability; reclaim borders for survival"	Post [1]: "Toxisches Gebräu aus Islamisierung"; Post [6]: "Merkel's gamble gutted Germany"
AfD/Extremism	"No neutrality toward fascism; ban threats to rights"	"Firewall = totalitarian suppression of voters"	Post [2]: "Left empowers violence against 'fascists'"; Post [12]: "Steinmeier's speech perverts democracy"
Economy/Media	"Populism ignores real solutions"	"Censorship and bias fuel radical change"	Post [5]: "Left unity front crushes opposition"; Post [15]: "Media revels in dehumanizing victims"
Violence/Protests	"Counter far-right hate with unity"	"Establishment provokes unrest via exclusion"	Post [13]: "Right-extreme narratives hand-in-hand with power tactics"; Post [7]: "Zerissenen Buntland brews storm"

Broader Implications

This escalation risks eroding trust in institutions, with X threads predicting "mass psychosis" or "revolution" if unaddressed. Analysts warn of a "dark future" if mainstream outlets continue "dehumanizing" opponents, as seen in muted responses to violence against figures like murdered free-speech advocate Eike Hamer in September. Yet, some see glimmers of shift: Media like BILD and FAZ discussing "minority governments" with AfD tolerance signals pragmatic adaptation. For ongoing monitoring, track outlets like Tichys Einblick or Spiegel, and X hashtags like #AfD or #MerzRegierung. This polarization mirrors global trends but is acutely felt in Germany's consensus-driven system.