Archive · 10 Aug 2026
AfD surges in east Germany ahead of looming regional elections
In parts of Germany called Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, people will soon vote for their local leaders.
A political party called the AfD is very popular there right now, and many people might vote for it.
A long time ago, Germany was split into two countries, and the eastern part had a harder time for many years.
Even today, people in the east often earn less money and have fewer opportunities than people in the west.
Many of them feel that the politicians in charge do not listen to them, which is why they like the AfD.
Economists who study money and jobs say the AfD's ideas would actually make things worse, costing people income and jobs.
People in the AfD disagree and say their plans would make energy cheaper and help businesses grow.
Meanwhile, some local people are finding their own ways to help, like turning an old building into a solar-powered energy hub and bringing music to kids with a Disco Bus.
The elections happen in September, and everyone is watching to see what happens next.
The AfD is polling at around 41 percent in Saxony-Anhalt and 36 percent in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern ahead of regional elections.
Experts say the rise is fuelled by lingering economic disadvantage and a sense of neglect 36 years after German reunification.
DIW Berlin estimates AfD policies would cost Saxony-Anhalt an average €1,600 a head in annual income and 10,000 jobs.
AfD deputy chair Hans-Thomas Tillschneider says ending CO2 levies and lifting Russia sanctions would cause a massive economic boom.
Residents are taking local action, from solar-powered energy hubs to a travelling 'Disco Bus' for teenagers.
- Who
- Voters in the east German states of Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, economists, and local residents.
- What
- The AfD is polling strongly ahead of regional elections amid lingering economic disadvantage in eastern Germany.
- When
- The Reuters article was published on August 10; elections are scheduled for September 6 and September 20.
- Where
- Eastern Germany, particularly the states of Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
- Why
- Many eastern Germans feel left behind economically and neglected by the political establishment, fuelling support for the AfD.
Economists and Critics
AfD and Supporters
Economic impact of AfD policies
Economists and Critics
Economists including DIW Berlin say AfD plans such as leaving the euro and EU, halting immigration and cutting state spending would cost Saxony-Anhalt an average €1,600 a head in annual income and 10,000 jobs, meaning voters there would harm themselves the most.
AfD and Supporters
AfD deputy chair Hans-Thomas Tillschneider says implementing measures such as ending all CO2 levies and lifting sanctions against Russia would dramatically reduce energy costs, sharply raise foreign trade and cause a massive economic boom.
Energy policy
Economists and Critics
Renewable-energy entrepreneur Lars Gottschligg believes renewable energy makes economic sense and will thrive under any government, noting that people want a healthy environment and affordable energy.
AfD and Supporters
The AfD wants a greater role for conventional energy sources and less support for renewables, policies that could hamper projects such as Gottschligg's solar-powered facility.
- AfD polling in Saxony-Anhalt
- about 41 percent
- AfD polling in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- about 36 percent
- Saxony-Anhalt election date
- September 6
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern election date
- September 20
- Years since German reunification
- 36
- Estimated per-head income loss under AfD policies in Saxony-Anhalt
- €1,600 a year (about $1,840)
- Estimated job losses in Saxony-Anhalt under AfD policies
- 10,000
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern GDP per capita
- about 76 percent of the national average