How much NSDAP is hiding in the AfD?

Photo by Christian Lue on Unsplash

Dear Reader,

Today, state elections are being held in the eastern German states of Thuringia and Saxony.

With a combined population of just over six million people, the way these two states vote may offer limited insight into the broader national mood. However, the results will still make headlines across Europe, and perhaps even further afield.

When the first exit polls are announced shortly after 6 pm, mobile phones across the continent will start pinging with the announcement of the shock result.

Unless the polls have been wildly off the mark, the populist Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) is expected to come first in Thuringia and either win or place a close second in Saxony.

It will mark a watershed moment for the populist party, established only 11 years ago. The AfD has never won a state election in their brief history, and they will undoubtedly use any success to argue for inclusion in the next coalition governments of these states.

Cue opinion arti…