in Germany, the far right hopes to double the number of its deputies

Less than six months before the election, and with record voting intentions, the score of the far right will be closely scrutinized across the Rhine. As the most populous country in the EU, Germany sends the largest delegation to Parliament.

The European elections will take place from June 6 to 9. And what will be particularly observed in Germany is the score of the far right. The AfD obtained 11% of the vote in 2019 and won nine of the 96 seats reserved for Germany. But this time, the party hopes to double its number of representatives in the European Parliament.

The far right is now the second political force in Germany, credited with around 20% of voting intentions with records of more than 30% in the regions of the former East Germany. The AfD comes behind the conservative CDU/CSU but is ahead of the three parties in the ruling coalition. And regardless of whether intelligence services have placed it under increased surveillance in three regions, the party remains popular.

Gathered at the beginning of December with other far-right parties to prepare for the Europeans, the AfD leaders recalled their favorite campaign themes: the end of European sanctions against Moscow, the resumption of imports of Russian gas to ensure energy supplies. cheap and the lifting of the ban decided by the European Union on thermal cars from 2035.

The other issue in the European elections will be the score of the three coalition parties. This risks being complicated, particularly for the Green Party. In 2019, the Greens obtained a record result, more than 20% of the votes, and brought 21 deputies to the European Parliament. This period of euphoria is over, environmentalists are paying a high price for their participation in the government, quarrels are tearing the coalition apart. The Greens often appear as the party of prohibition with an image of giving lessons. In opinion polls, the party is only at 12%, its worst score in five years.

The future left-wing populist party of Sahra Wagenknecht

The Greens have promised to do everything to counter the right-wing shift initiated in Europe, no surprise then that the far right and the German conservatives have designated the party as their main target. For the two other government parties, the social democrats of Olaf Scholz and the liberals of the FDP, things are not much better. According to a recent poll, one in two Germans expects the coalition to break up before the next elections scheduled for fall 2025. Obviously all this does not bode very well for Europeans.

But a future new party could come and reshuffle the cards during the European elections. Sahra Wagenknecht left the Left party in October and took nine deputies with her to create her own party. Opposition figure, Sahra Wagenknecht wishes “fill the political void”she says, “between the radical left and the extreme right”. More social justice, reduction in the number of migrants, end of arms deliveries to Ukraine. With its program, the pasionaria hunts on the lands of the AfD and the left. And voters seem to appreciate it, Sahra Wagenknecht is credited with 14% of voting intentions. The European elections will be his baptism of fire.