In a surprising outcome of the federal elections held in Germany, the right-wing populist party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), placed second, significantly expanding its voter base from the previous elections. This represents the strongest showing by a far-right party in Germany since World War II, with some of its segments being classified as extremist by the country’s intelligence agency. The AfD’s rise prompts questions, considering Germany’s history and the consequences of right-wing extremism. Many attribute this to the impact of immigration, particularly the influx of Muslim refugees from Syria and the Middle East in the mid-2010s, which has swayed many people away from traditional parties towards far-right ideologies. However, new research reveals an additional factor: the demographic shifts in former East Germany, where younger populations have been migrating to urban areas for better opportunities, leaving behind regions facing a demographic doom loop of shrinking and aging populations, deteriorating government services, and stagnant economic growth. This cycle provides fertile ground for the AfD’s anti-immigrant stance, which, in turn, exacerbates the problems associated with a diminishing and aging population, threatening to create a self-perpetuating cycle that could have broader implications for Germany’s future, including economic decline and difficulties in maintaining public services. The success of far-right parties in various developed economies underlines this trend, as regional discontention fuels support for political extremes. This situation highlights the need for comprehensive economic and social strategies, focusing on immigration and addressing the root causes of regional disparities to prevent a vicious cycle that could lead to long-term societal and economic challenges.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/25/world/how-a-demographic-doom-loop-helped-germanys-far-right.html