The Bundestag Elections of 2017: A Turning Point for German Politics and the Rise of the AfD

The year 2017 marked a significant turning point in German politics, with the Bundestag elections revealing a seismic shift in the political landscape. The results not only reshaped the composition of the German parliament but also ignited passionate debates about the future direction of the country. At the heart of this upheaval lay the meteoric rise of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a right-wing populist party that captured the attention, and anxieties, of many Germans.

For decades, German politics had been dominated by a stable two-party system, with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) alternately leading coalition governments. This established order, however, began to crumble in the face of growing social and economic anxieties. The influx of refugees in 2015, coupled with concerns about globalization and cultural change, created a fertile ground for populist sentiment to flourish.

Enter the AfD, a party founded in 2013 on a platform of Euroscepticism, anti-immigration rhetoric, and opposition to what its supporters perceived as the “establishment” consensus. The party skillfully tapped into public anxieties, offering simple solutions to complex problems and promising to restore Germany’s national identity.

Their message resonated with a segment of the population feeling marginalized by economic globalization and cultural shifts. The AfD’s anti-immigration stance gained traction amidst fears about the integration of refugees and the perceived threat to German culture and values.

The 2017 Bundestag elections became a litmus test for the strength of populist sentiment in Germany. While Angela Merkel’s CDU/CSU remained the largest party, securing around 33% of the vote, the AfD secured an unprecedented 12.6%, becoming the third-largest party in the Bundestag. This breakthrough signaled a profound shift in German politics, as a significant portion of the electorate embraced a party espousing right-wing populist views.

Causes of the AfD’s Rise:

Several factors contributed to the AfD’s surge in popularity:

• The Refugee Crisis of 2015: The arrival of over one million refugees and asylum seekers into Germany sparked intense debate and fueled fears about integration, cultural change, and security.
• Economic Anxiety: Globalization and technological advancements led to job losses and economic insecurity for some segments of the population. The AfD exploited these anxieties, blaming immigration and globalization for economic woes.
• Cultural Backlash: A segment of society felt threatened by perceived changes in German identity and culture. The AfD capitalized on this sentiment, promoting a vision of a homogeneous Germany based on traditional values.
• Dissatisfaction with Established Parties: Some voters felt disillusioned with the traditional parties, perceiving them as out of touch and unresponsive to their concerns.

Consequences of the AfD’s Success:

The AfD’s entry into the Bundestag had profound consequences for German politics:

• Fragmentation of the Political Landscape: The AfD’s success contributed to a more fragmented political landscape, making it difficult to form stable governing coalitions.
• Rise of Populism: The AfD’s breakthrough emboldened other right-wing populist movements across Europe.
• Increased Polarization: The AfD’s rhetoric fueled social divisions and increased polarization within German society.

Table: Comparing Vote Shares in 2013 and 2017 Bundestag Elections

The rise of the AfD in the 2017 Bundestag elections served as a stark reminder that populism and nationalism were not confined to the fringes of European politics but represented a growing force challenging the status quo. While the AfD’s success sparked debate and concern, it also highlighted the importance of addressing the underlying social and economic anxieties that fueled their rise.