The AfD is not a problem for Germany – it’s the solution
The former GDR is distancing itself from Western liberalism, reclaiming its heritage and national identity
By Constantin von Hoffmeister, a political and cultural commentator from Germany, published author, and editor-in-chief of Arktos Publishing
FILE PHOTO: Supporters of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party march in Hamburg, Germany. © Sean Gallup / Getty Images
The recent elections in East Germany reveal something far more profound than a shift in political allegiance – they signal the re-emergence of a deep-seated German spirit that refuses to bow to the decaying influence of Western liberalism. The success of the patriotic party AfD (Alternative for Germany) in the East is proof of the enduring divide between East and West Germany, a divide shaped by vastly different historical experiences and a clash of values.
East Germans have always been more conservative than their Western counterparts, and for good reason. After World War Two, West Germany was placed under the occupation of the Americans, who imposed their liberal ideology on the German people. Over the decades, this ideology has seeped into every corner of West German society, promoting concepts such as a nebulous “diversity,” multiculturalism, LGBT propaganda, and the insane trans cult. West Germany, inundated by American cultural imperialism, has lost touch with the very essence of what it means to be German, embracing ideologies that are alien to the German soul. It remains occupied in all but name, with numerous American military bases dotting its landscape – a constant reminder that it is not truly sovereign. West Germany’s blind loyalty to America has steered it towards a path of spiritual and cultural ruin.
In contrast, East Germany, under the German Democratic Republic (GDR), was part of the Soviet sphere of influence. Despite what many Western conservatives might believe, the Soviet Union was far from the “progressive” bastion it is often portrayed as. It re-criminalized homosexuality in 1934, dismissed modern art as decadent, and promoted traditional family values – everything that many genuine conservatives in the West today wish their societies would embrace once more. The GDR adopted many of these conservative principles, becoming the last truly German state – a state that preserved and revived the Prussian ideals of duty, discipline, and national pride. As a symbol of this continuity, the GDR re-erected the statue of the glorious populist leader Frederick the Great in East Berlin, reaffirming its connection to the Prussian legacy.
The German establishment is desperately clinging to power in defiance of democracy
Sahra Wagenknecht and her movement, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), have emerged as key players in Germany’s struggle to resurrect its long-buried national identity. Wagenknecht, who has sharply criticized the liberal-left establishment for its role in destroying Germany’s cultural character, offers a ray of hope. Her movement combines leftist economic policies with culturally conservative positions, combined with staunch opposition to NATO meddling. Wagenknecht’s ideas are similar to those of Ernst Niekisch, the “National Bolshevik” thinker who believed that Germany should align with Russia rather than the liberal West. Niekisch, who was imprisoned by the Nazis for his beliefs and later liberated by the Red Army, understood that Germany’s future lay not in the West. It would be better off forging its own path alongside the East. Niekisch even argued that the GDR should officially rename itself to “Prussia.”
Yet, fear – deliberately cultivated by the dying liberal order – hinders the natural alliance between the AfD and BSW. Such an alliance could form because both parties share strong opposition to unrestricted immigration and skepticism towards Germany’s support for Ukraine and subservience to the American empire. Both also emphasize national sovereignty and protection of German interests, presenting themselves as defenders of traditional values in contrast to the liberal establishment. While the BSW leans more left economically, with calls for expanded social welfare, and the AfD favors limiting benefits, their shared stance on migration control and border security provides significant overlap that could bring them together politically.
The AfD has been relentlessly slandered as “right-wing extremist” by the mainstream media and political ruling class, portrayed as a threat to the very people it seeks to protect. This is a lie, a desperate attempt by a faltering regime to hold on to power. Wagenknecht and her supporters must see beyond this distortion and recognize that the AfD is not an enemy. Instead, it is a partner in the fight for Germany’s future. The unity of the AfD and BSW is not only politically necessary; it is a moral imperative.
The legacy of the GDR has been grossly mischaracterized, particularly by those in the West who interpret it through the lens of liberal ideology. The GDR was not the dystopian nightmare it is often portrayed as. Rather, it was a state that maintained the values that have always defined the German people. It placed the welfare of the people above all, creating a sense of community and purpose that the individualist West could never comprehend. The GDR’s rejection of Western decadence and embrace of socialist realism were not mere political moves but were significant cultural statements – an assertion of the enduring over the fleeting.
The GDR’s commitment to education, healthcare, and social cohesion was a continuation of the great Prussian tradition – a tradition that has always been the foundation of German culture. Unlike the West, which has been compromised by American influence and the mercantilist mentality of the British, the GDR remained faithful to itself, resisting the siren song of liberalism.
Germany’s future does not rest with the declining West but with the resilient and resurgent East. The recent electoral success of the AfD in Thuringia and Saxony is a political victory as well as a clear sign that the East is on the rise. However, this is not just a regional phenomenon; it is a national call to action. Germany must turn its gaze eastward, towards Russia, and away from the corrosive influence of America, which has led the West into moral and cultural decay. In doing so, it will fulfill the vision of Ernst Niekisch – a vision of a sovereign Germany, strong and allied with the East in pursuit of its own destiny.
If Germany is to reclaim its identity and future, unity is essential among those who oppose the liberal agenda. Together, the AfD and BSW can become a formidable force that will stand up for the German people and German ideals. The AfD is not the problem – it is the solution. It is the spearhead of a new Germany, one that will rise from the ashes of the old, stronger than ever before.