… or how the AfD was built up during the chancellorship
After the federal election, a headline is justified. The Alternative for Germany has developed during its 16-year chancellorship. Symbolically, it would look like this: Mrs Merkel has ensured the birth of the toughest rivals. Certainly an attribute she does not like. Let’s recap: Mrs Merkel became Chancellor in November 2005, the AfD was founded in 2013. Today, after the federal election, her party has the worst result historically. A good balance sheet looks different. The package with which she leaves Germany as Chancellor weighs heavily.
There was this moment: (Almost) being proud
One of us, one from the GDR, becomes Chancellor. An underlying bitter almond flavour was already noticeable at the time. Because as Kohl’s „girl“, this was by no means a favourable starting position. In retrospect, it seems as if she wanted to follow in Kohl’s big footsteps and continue on his path. And so she continued on a relentless path. The small flame of joy about an East German as chancellor went out abruptly and forever. What remained were thoughts and questions: „How can she?“, „Why is she doing this?“.
At the end of her 16 years as chancellor, she herself stands on stage with a somewhat contrite face, while her party colleagues from the CDU celebrate themselves on stage on election night. Even with a mask, the disaster becomes visible. Because the Chancellor does not seem happy or cheerful. Professionally, she shows a deliberately strong mask, but her eyes betray tense features.
Now they are there! Germany’s new parties
Let’s not underestimate Germany’s new parties. These are also the result of Merkel’s undesirable policies. Perhaps the biggest winner of the 2021 federal election can be identified here: theBasis, which is already posting significant figures after only one year of its foundation. With just under 30,000 members (as of September 2021), dieBasis ranks 9th among all parties, close behind the AfD and the Left: After all, it has 30,000 more members, but a much longer history. Therefore, a serious mistake has already been made: politicians and state media underestimate the power that lies in the new parties.
What remains after the federal election is tension
Germany will remain torn apart even after the 2021 federal elections. This tension can be felt not only on site, but also from a distance. One wrong word and people literally explode. The desire for freedom, for security weighs heavily and simply does not find the same tone among the country’s politicians. The desire for freedom, for security weighs heavily and simply does not find the same tone among the country’s politicians. „Other“ Parties that have achieved a decent result after the federal election fall off the grid in the media, as is so often the case. Still. But that is about to change. If they know how to be persistent.
Some reactions on Twitter speak a clear language.
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„R2g failed miserably“
„Bravo Frau Merkel, you leave behind a shattered CDU.“
„Keep up – just with different staff or missed opportunity“.
„Germany relies on collective responsibility for lack of leadership“
Figuratively speaking, Germany could be compared in a way that couldn’t be more fitting after the 2021 federal election.
Some people have converted a carriage into a car. However, they have not said goodbye to the nags yet, but continue to use them as a lead.
Bertolt Brecht, „Is the Ideal of Freedom Obsolete?“, Ges. Works 20, Writings on Politics and Society
After the 2021 federal election, it will be up to the new chancellorship to allow the old nags in front of the car to have their retirement now.
You don’t always have to put in your two cents. But every now and then it does! The L4U column with relaxation factor.
