Germany's AfD struggles locally despite surging national support

Germany’s far-right AfD party has made limited gains in local elections despite its rising national support. The party contested 26 mayoral and district council races in eastern Germany this year but secured just two victories. Meanwhile, a recent podcast episode explores strategies to counter the AfD’s growing influence. The AfD’s candidates faced mixed results in the latest local elections. In Uckermark, Brandenburg, CDU incumbent Karina Dörk retained her district council seat with a clear lead over AfD challenger Felix Teichner. Dörk avoided debates about political alliances, instead emphasising her record and dismissing what she called 'pseudo-issues'. Teichner, known for his approachable style and even playing left-wing folk songs on the piano, failed to sway enough voters.

The AfD did secure wins in two races: André Barth took the mayoral post in Altenberg, Saxony, while René Stadtkewitz won in Zehdenick, Brandenburg. These victories stand out amid broader struggles for the party at the local level.

Nationally, however, the AfD continues to climb in opinion polls. It now leads the CDU/CSU by two to three points, with particularly strong support in eastern states. In Saxony-Anhalt, the party polls at 41%, while in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, it reaches 36%. Yet, most voters who have abandoned the CDU/CSU since the last federal election have not switched to the AfD. Instead, many plan to abstain or back left-leaning alternatives.

The political podcast Bundestalk recently examined how to challenge the AfD’s rise. The episode featured AfD expert Gareth Joswig, investigative journalist Anne Fromm, and parliamentary correspondent Stefan Reinecke. Available weekly on Spotify, Deezer, iTunes, and the show’s website, the discussion highlights the ongoing debate over the party’s growing influence. The AfD’s local election performance shows a contrast between modest regional success and strong national polling. While the party won only two of 26 races, its support remains high in eastern states. Analysts and politicians continue to assess how best to respond to its rise.