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After the state elections in Thuringia and Saxony, concern is growing about the shift to the right in society. Dresden political scientist Hans Vorländer sees the AfD’s continued rise as a threat to democracy. The party, which is classified as right-wing extremist in Saxony and Thuringia, received more than 30 percent of the vote in both states in the state elections on Sunday.

The results showed that the AfD had been able to build up sustainable strength, Vorländer told the Evangelical Press Service (epd) in Dresden. The fact that the gap between the AfD and the CDU in Saxony is so small is somewhat surprising, however.

Saxony: CDU narrowly ahead of AfD

According to the preliminary election results for Saxony, the CDU is just ahead of the AfD with 31.9 percent, with 30.6 percent. The Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) coalition, which was running for the first time, received 11.8 percent of the vote. The SPD received 7.3 percent, the Greens 5.1 percent. The Left Party received 4.5 percent and is only returning to the Saxon state parliament because it won two direct mandates. The Free Voters have one seat thanks to a direct mandate.

In Thuringia, the AfD won the state election by a clear margin with 32.8 percent, ahead of the CDU with 23.6 percent. The BSW won 15.8 percent.

Thuringia: AfD strongest party

Numerous civil society organizations were appalled and at the same time concerned about the growing support for the AfD. The Association of Lusatian Sorbs declared: The election result was “historically explosive and fills the Sorbs and their umbrella organization with great concern for the future of the region, Germany and Europe.” The high number of votes for right-wing extremist and populist parties is “a serious challenge for our democratic society.”

The President of the Central Council of Jews, Josef Schuster, told the “Bild” newspaper (Monday) that the free and open society in Germany was in danger. He compared the AfD’s results to a punch in a boxing match: “Germany is reeling.” Schuster expressed concern that more and more people were voting for the AfD out of political conviction.

President of the Central Council in Bild: »Germany is staggering«

The chairwoman of the Saxony regional association of Jewish communities, Nora Goldenbogen, also expressed concern. Right-wing extremist positions have been entrenched in society and in everyday life for years.

“We must be careful that this trend does not continue,” she said, warning against further radicalization. “We are not afraid, we have great fears,” said Goldenbogen. Democratic forces must succeed in uniting across political and personal interests.

The Protestant regional bishop Tobias Bilz and the bishop of the diocese of Dresden-Meissen, Heinrich Timmerevers, called for a willingness to talk and compromise and promoted “a new way of dealing with each other”. The Protestant regional bishop of Central Germany, Friedrich Kramer, encouraged politicians in Thuringia to pursue new ways of working together after the state elections. epd

Eli, a 19-year-old Charedi from London who recently studied in Davos, is currently spending his holidays with his family in the picturesque Swiss town. He was recently attacked by two men. Out of concern for his safety, Eli does not want his full name published. The editors know his full name. A conversation.

Eli, in the night between Thursday and Friday you were attacked and insulted by Jew-haters in Davos. How are you now? Are you hurt?
No, I’m physically fine. I wasn’t really seriously injured in the attack. But the attackers hurt me. I’m better now.

What exactly happened?
I was walking on the promenade in Davos. Suddenly two men were in front of me and attacked me. They hit me and spat at me while shouting “Free Palestine!” I pushed them aside and then they ran away.

Where do the perpetrators come from?
I don’t know. My impression is that the perpetrators were not of Arab origin, but definitely supporters of the so-called pro-Palestinian demonstrations, at which numerous anti-Semitic incidents occur again and again.

Did anyone help you?
A man showed up. He was not Jewish, he helped me a lot and was very nice. He ran towards the attackers and tried to calm them down. But they didn’t listen to him. Later he gave me his phone number and offered to be a witness. What a kind person!

How were you treated by the authorities?
The police were very courteous. They arrived within a few minutes and took the case seriously. The officers were also polite.

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Why do you think you were targeted by the attackers? Did they identify you as a Jew and then spontaneously attack you?
I was the only person there. That means the perpetrators only had me to push around. But it is no coincidence that they attacked me and shouted “Free Palestine”.

Had you seen the perpetrators before? Or did someone else recognize them?
No.

How safe do you feel since the attack in Davos?
I am still in a state of shock, upset and, unfortunately, very traumatized. I will no longer be able to walk around here alone. It is sad that this has happened. I lived and studied here for two years – and nothing like this happened during that time.

So you know Davos well. Do you have the impression that the atmosphere there has changed since October 7?
I don’t think so, because the Swiss behave in a very natural way. They are not problematic. But that doesn’t seem to be the case among tourists. At least that’s how I perceive it.

So were the attackers tourists?
I think so. That is, I don’t think they were Swiss.

In recent months, there have been repeated anti-Semitic incidents in Davos. First, the mood was turned against Jews. Then they were no longer allowed to rent sleighs. What is going on?
Well, Davos is a popular holiday destination for Jews. We love the air and the beauty up here. There are more Jews here than anywhere else in Switzerland. And obviously not everyone likes that.