Why former East Germany became the stronghold of far-right AfD

In the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is projected to perform strongly in an upcoming election, potentially marking the first time a far-right party could gain state-level power in post-war German history. This anticipated success highlights persistent east-west divisions more than three decades after reunification. The AfD, an anti-immigration and Moscow-friendly party, has become a stronghold in much of eastern Germany. The government's commissioner for eastern Germany, Elisabeth Kaiser, who is from the eastern state of Thuringia, has discussed the historical and cultural factors contributing to the region's distinct political landscape.