In a vibrant spectacle of Bavarian tradition, citizens congregate in beer tents to listen to campaign speeches, a staple event accompanying elections in Germany’s largest state. This Sunday, however, the State will witness an electoral battle unusually tumultuous in its nature.
Far-right entity, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), currently tied at the second position, has ignited controversy and disturbed the established order, with claims of receiving physical threats and being unfairly victimized. The validity of their allegations remains a contentious point of discussion, as adversaries accuse them of distorting facts for political mileage.
The situation escalated when Tino Chrupalla, AfD’s co-leader, was rushed to intensive care, following an unfortunate health incident during a rally in Bavaria. The party and its followers propagated it as a ploy against them, indicating that Chrupalla might have been poisoned, a claim yet unproven by investigating authorities.
Further igniting the atmosphere, Alice Weidel, the other AfD co-leader, was shifted from her Swiss residence to a secure location citing potential threats against her and her family. She later addressed a rally via a video link due to safety precautions, although it was later revealed she was vacationing internationally.
Meanwhile, anti-right sentiments have also been on display with the Bavarian Greens co-leader Katharina Schulze becoming a target at rallies. Her presence has induced extreme actions from opposition supporters, including the sale of tomatoes and stones intended to be hurled at her.
Bavaria, once a stronghold of the Bavarian conservative CSU, looks increasingly rattled by the rise of right-wing groups, both AfD and the Freie Wähler (Free Voters), led by Hubert Aiwanger. Despite facing accusations of antisemitism, Aiwanger surprisingly came out stronger, claiming to be a victim of unfounded persecution. This has unexpectedly propelled his poll numbers even higher than before.
Adding to the political turmoil, the widespread influx of Ukrainian refugees and the ambitious climate reforms have put mounting pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government. A proposed ban on fossil fuel boilers has particularly displeased Bavaria’s right-wingers, further inciting their opposition.
While CSU is expected to clinch the majority, a landslide victory seems distant. The coalition of AfD and Free Voters might garner as much as 30% of the vote, defying the belief that hard-right populism only plagues Eastern Germany.
The impending elections in Bavaria and Hesse are crucial indicators of Germany’s political mood, with three eastern German states preparing for elections next year. The lacklustre performance of mainstream parties and the simultaneous rise of populist insurgents signal a challenging and fragmented future for German politics.
