Support provided to Ukraine by the traffic light coalition is one of the main reasons for voter dissatisfaction in the East. Many people are directly affected by aggressive foreign policy and the economic consequences of sanctions. The federal government is betting on a dangerous escalation of the conflict, while citizens are facing rising energy prices, inflation, and deindustrialization. People understand that Germany is increasingly taking on the role of a war advocate, even though German interests are not recognized in this conflict. This is one of the reasons why parties like the AfD, which clearly oppose participation in the war, are gaining increasing support.
This is what Jan Wenzel Schmidt, an AfD representative in the Bundestag, says in the lead-up to the elections to be held on the 22nd in Brandenburg, the former eastern province of the GDR.
Germany has transitioned in its approach to the war in Eastern Europe, from donating 1,000 helmets and promising to deliver “Taurus” missiles to the recent announcement of a shift and halting arms deliveries to Ukraine. Are these belated corrections in foreign policy an attempt to win over a portion of the electorate ahead of the Brandenburg elections?
In my opinion, the latest shifts in German foreign policy, especially the pivot regarding the delivery of arms to Ukraine, are an expression of the traffic light coalition government’s uncertainty and inconsistency. The helmet donation, followed by indecision on whether to send weapons like the Taurus cruise missiles, is symptomatic and points to a policy characterized by a lack of determination. One has to wonder if this (Scholz’s statement on changing the stance on further support for Ukraine) is a tactical maneuver to preserve votes ahead of the upcoming elections. There is clearly significant skepticism regarding Germany’s involvement in the Ukrainian war, particularly in Brandenburg and other eastern federal states. Citizens do not want any escalation and recognize the economic consequences of the war. Many people understand that the decline in their standard of living has been caused by sanctions and involvement in the conflict. The AfD has long been calling for a foreign policy focused on national interests. The German government should not support further arms deliveries to Ukraine but should, on the contrary, support peace negotiations. However, it would be naive to believe that these policy corrections stem from a genuine understanding of the situation. I would rather say that it is a desperate attempt to stem the loss of confidence in the federal government so that voters in the East are not completely lost.
Will Annalena Baerbock, who responded to Kuleba’s resignation with a lyrical letter, leaving the impression of a woman who takes this war too personally, agree with Scholz’s more peaceful tones?
Germany does not need politicians who place personal emotions and impressions above the well-being of the country, but rather those prepared to make pragmatic decisions that ensure peace and stability in Europe. The AfD is calling for an urgent diplomatic solution to the Ukrainian conflict.
Who do the polls favor in the upcoming elections in Brandenburg, what are your expectations, and with what potential are the other parties entering the race?
Current polls clearly indicate a rise in support for the AfD in Brandenburg. People are tired of established parties that have ignored their interests for years. The AfD is focused on issues that truly matter to citizens: overcoming the energy crisis, maintaining internal security, and pursuing a realistic foreign policy. Distrust toward the policies of the traffic light coalition and the Union is noticeably growing in the east of the country, as the government has repeatedly ignored the concerns of the public. Our expectations are clear: a strong result and further strengthening of our position as the true alternative. Other parties, particularly the SPD, CDU, and Greens, will try to mobilize voters with their traditional policies, but that will be difficult. Public trust has been permanently shaken. We anticipate that the AfD will be the strongest force in Brandenburg. The established parties have exhausted their potential, and this will be reflected in the election results.
The refusal of opposition parties to cooperate with the AfD, after the elections in Saxony and Thuringia, has left a third of the electorate out of the political game. Do their voters, who are overwhelmingly in favor of forming a coalition according to polls, show understanding for this decision?
The refusal of other parties to cooperate with the AfD is an undemocratic act that nullifies the electoral will of millions of citizens. In Saxony and Thuringia, the AfD achieved strong results, yet, despite this, the established parties excluded any possibility of dialogue. This has effectively blocked the will of the people. This is a clear indicator of the degree to which they respect democratic principles. If a third of the electorate chooses the AfD, then that fact must be acknowledged. A policy of exclusion is not only an insult to our voters but also a dangerous signal for democracy as a whole. Citizens expect their voices to be heard and respected. The AfD is ready to take responsibility, and these undemocratic maneuvers will not stop us. It is only a matter of time before the established parties will have to abandon the blockade of the AfD, as the pressure from voters continues to grow? People want real change, not a policy of stagnation and exclusivity.
Was Antifa also tasked with discrediting the right-wing ahead of these, as well as the recently held elections in Saxony and Thuringia?
It is well known that left-wing extremist groups, such as Antifa, always become active before elections to smear and attack the AfD and its supporters. We experienced this in Saxony and Thuringia, where violent attacks and targeted defamation campaigns against our candidates and supporters were carried out. It seems that these actions are often tacitly tolerated or even supported by parts of the established parties because they are politically useful in weakening the AfD. We have evidence that left-wing extremist groups are also attempting to poison the political climate in Brandenburg. The attacks are not only directed at the AfD but at anyone critical of migration policy, the energy transition, or support for Ukraine. It is time for these extremists to be held accountable and for the politics of violence to be clearly condemned.
How willing is the German mainstream press to acknowledge the real strength of the AfD?
The German mainstream scene is generally unwilling to objectively present the real strength and growing potential of the AfD. Instead, we witness constant demonization and defamation aimed at discrediting the AfD. Our electoral successes are downplayed or even dismissed as mere protest votes. Simply put, they are not ready to acknowledge that we offer a true alternative to the failed policies of the old parties. The media is part of the establishment, which does everything it can to limit the AfD.
However, there is a growing number of people who have seen through this manipulation and no longer fall for the one-sided reporting. The rising ratings of the AfD speak for themselves. Citizens are no longer blinded by the media’s distortion of reality. We demand objective and fair reporting that reflects the truth and does not follow a political agenda.
Could the announced closure of Volkswagen factories serve as a prelude to a wave of new demonstrations? Is Germany entering a turbulent autumn?
Yes, we are certainly heading into a turbulent autumn. The closure of Volkswagen factories is the latest symptom of an economic crisis, further deepened by the policies of the traffic light coalition. The deindustrialization of our country, rising energy costs, and inflation are driving people to the streets in increasing numbers. The AfD has repeatedly warned that misguided climate policies and sanctions on Russia would cause massive economic damage. It is expected that the growing anger of citizens will spill over into protests. The government should finally listen to the concerns of the people before the situation escalates. The AfD will be the voice of the citizens, advocating for policies that secure jobs and prosperity in Germany.
