AfD"s Björn Höcke rallies support in Thuringia ahead of elections
- Björn Höcke led a rally in Erfurt, Thuringia, where the AfD is polling at about 30% ahead of elections.
- Supporters voiced concerns about crime linked to foreigners, emphasizing a desire for deportation of criminals.
- The political climate is marked by a commitment from other parties to exclude the AfD from coalitions, reflecting a significant divide in German politics.
Björn Höcke, co-head of the AfD in Thuringia, held a rally in Erfurt ahead of the state elections on September 1, where the party is polling at around 30%. His supporters expressed concerns primarily about crime associated with foreigners rather than economic issues. Höcke's rhetoric focused on the perceived threat of a multicultural society, claiming that the current government aims to replace the German populace. The AfD has been labeled as a right-wing extremist party by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, and all democratic parties have committed to excluding it from any coalition government. This political landscape has led to a fragmented electoral environment, where parties are attempting to capture the AfD's voter base by addressing similar concerns. The rise of the AfD reflects broader anxieties in eastern Germany, where many citizens feel disconnected from the promises made after the fall of the Berlin Wall, particularly regarding economic stability and security.