# What's the matter with eastern Germany? > German far-right populism traces back to reunification, but historians disagree about why. - Title: What's the matter with eastern Germany? · Foreign Policy - Summary: German far-right populism traces back to reunification, but historians disagree about why. The AfD's success in eastern Germany stems from reunification's… - Keywords: afd, alternative for germany, eastern germany, german reunification, ilko-sascha kowalczuk, katja hoyer, dirk oschmann, gdr, german democratic republic, far-right, populism, saxony-anhalt - Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/09/17/afd-germany-east-germany-reunification-history - Author: Paul Hockenos - Read time: 3 min - Topics: afd, alternative for germany, eastern germany, german reunification, ilko-sascha kowalczuk, katja hoyer, dirk oschmann, gdr, german democratic republic, far-right, populism, saxony-anhalt ## The AfD threatens Germany There's widespread consensus that the far-right Alternative for Germany is xenophobic and threatens the republic's postwar political order. ## No agreement on the cause Germans agree the AfD's national populism is anchored in eastern Germany and traces to reunification. But historians disagree about what exactly happened. ## The east votes AfD double The AfD breaks into double digits across western Germany. But its popularity is twice as high in eastern Germany, where xenophobic sentiment is much higher. ## 44 percent in Saxony-Anhalt The AfD's record result of 44 percent in Saxony-Anhalt's state elections on September 6 is conceivable only in an eastern state, at least for now. ## The totalitarian school of thought Historian Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk explains the eastern mentality through the German Democratic Republic's fundamentally totalitarian character. ## Cradle to grave control Kowalczuk emphasizes the totality of a state that dictated every facet of life from cradle to grave, indoctrinating through schools, party, and workplace. > from cradle to grave ## The Stasi's power was reputation Kowalczuk argues the Stasi wasn't as powerful as claimed. Much of its intimidation stemmed from reputation, not actual reach. ## East Germans were sheep Kowalczuk says East Germans passively allowed themselves to be subjugated. They relinquished freedom in exchange for certainty and security. ## They refuse to take responsibility Today's eastern Germans have done too little to emancipate themselves from the GDR's totalitarian mindset, Kowalczuk says. They refuse to take responsibility. ## Life was more textured Historian Katja Hoyer argues life in the GDR was more textured than Kowalczuk acknowledges. East Germans lived, loved, and had families. ## The GDR had real achievements Hoyer credits GDR socialism with genuine achievements like women's rights, affordable housing, and workplace participation. Just about everyone had an apartment. > Many East Germans were proud of their achievements as social mobility provided unprecedented opportunities for the working classes ## Western condescension caused resentment Hoyer argues eastern Germans' lives were dismissed as worthless ballast. West German condescension caused resentment to fester and be passed to new generations. ## The AfD offers respect The AfD alone avoids demonizing the GDR, offering eastern Germans respect that none of the other parties do, Hoyer argues. ## The East was a takeover Professor Dirk Oschmann argues the incorporation of eastern Germany into the Federal Republic was a one-sided takeover, not a true unification. ## Western companies made out like bandits East Germany's economy was put on equal footing overnight, causing it to implode. Western companies swooped in and made out like bandits. ## West Germans took all the jobs West German elites stepped into leadership posts across the East in universities, police forces, hospitals, and just about everywhere. ## Merz's migration crackdown failed Chancellor Friedrich Merz doubled down on restricting migration before the vote. Asylum applications fell by half, but there was no political payoff. ## 44 percent voted for the original Rather than vote for the copy act, 44 percent of Saxony-Anhalt's voters cast ballots for the original, the AfD, whose jingoism Merz chases after. ## Germany's establishment is clueless Germany's political establishment is clueless how to handle the AfD's surge. The country's historians offer no concrete answers either. ## Key takeaway The AfD's success in eastern Germany stems from reunification's aftermath, but historians fiercely debate whether the root cause is GDR totalitarianism, western condescension, or botched unification.