Marta García Aller spoke with Franco Delle Donne, doctor in Communication from the Free University of Berlin and author of the book ‘Epidemia Ultra’, to analyze the victory of the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the elections in the region of Saxony-Anhalt.
Delle Donne has explained what may be behind the fact that millions of Germans have connected with the ideas of the AfD. Among the factors, he pointed out discontent with the federal government of Friedrich Merz, in coalition with the SPD.
He has also made reference to a particularity of Germany and, especially, of the territories of the former Democratic Republic of Germany, within which the region of Saxony-Anhalt is located: the “need to reclaim the east.” There is a perception of inequality between citizens of the east and those of the west and, as he explained, he stated that in the consultations carried out precisely in these elections “3 out of 4 felt like second-class citizens compared to those from the west.” In his opinion, an identity has been built around this perception and, behind the support for the AfD, there is also this demand for vindication.
The origin and radicalization of the AfD
Regarding the origin of Alternative for Germany, Delle Donne has pointed out that “the kick-off” was its opposition to the rescue of the southern European countries after the 2008 crisis. In its first years it obtained around 4% of the votes, but from 2014 and 2015 a process of radicalization began, especially with the arrival of refugees from Syria, when the party more strongly incorporated the anti-immigration discourse.
The next step, according to the author of ‘Ultra Epidemic’, occurs when this “ultra epidemic” appears again in other European countries, where they even come to power.
Discontent and social networks as a weapon
Regarding the abilities of the far-right formation, Delle Donne has highlighted its ability to capitalize on discontent, something that the AfD has done especially in eastern Germany.
Added to this is the ability to master simple messages through social networks. The party has also achieved “special attention from the media that it achieved through provocation”, a strategy that it combines with its good work on social networks.
The “antibodies” against the extreme right
Regarding the sanitary cordon against these formations that has been applied in countries such as France and Germany itself, Delle Donne considers that “it has worked in certain characteristics and under specific conditions”, but warns that, when these parties reach a relevant number of votes, isolation can clash with democratic principles.
Delle Donne considers that “antibodies have expired” in reference to the different strategies that have been carried out to combat the extreme right. As he explains, a narrative has developed in which being designated as an ultra is no longer necessarily something negative and has become a “claiming element and, on the other hand, victimizing.”
Antibodies have expired
Furthermore, the proliferation of media and channels through social networks makes it more difficult to isolate this type of proposals for the expert. Precisely in this sense, the role of Elon Musk has stood out. Through X and other social networks, he considers that they have contributed to the growth of ultra positions, “especially in symbolic terms.”
