The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is positioning itself for potential gains in the upcoming Bundestag elections, scheduled for September 2025, particularly anticipating increased representation from Hessen.

As the largest opposition faction in the Wiesbaden state parliament, the AfD's influence is notable, even as the Bundestag prepares to shrink due to electoral reforms.

The protest coalition 'Gemeinsam widersetzen' actively blocked access routes to the conference, signaling a strong opposition to the AfD's presence.

Key issues influencing voters in Saxony and Thuringia include immigration and social security, with many perceiving the AfD as the most capable party to address these concerns.

The protests featured various groups, including 'Omas gegen Rechts,' and were complemented by a 'Festival of Democracy' in the town center, contrasting sharply with the AfD's smaller gatherings.

On September 7, 2024, hundreds protested against the AfD's party conference in Hofheim am Taunus, reflecting growing tensions surrounding the party's rise.

Mainstream political parties in Germany are grappling with the increasing appeal of the AfD and the populist BSW party, which are polling at approximately 18% and 8% nationally.

The rise of the AfD and the BSW is attributed to historical grievances, economic struggles, and feelings of marginalization among Eastern Germans, particularly in regions like Thuringia.

Concerns are being raised about the potential influence of the far-right on the judiciary, with calls for better protection of judicial independence from the German Judges' Association.

Experts suggest that the AfD's success represents a 'revenge of the East' against the West, rooted in the harsh realities of reunification and economic transition.

Interestingly, many voters are drawn to the AfD not in spite of, but because of their extreme positions, highlighting a significant shift in political sentiment.

The far-right's recent electoral victories mark a troubling trend in German politics, despite other parties attempting to establish a 'cordon sanitaire' against the AfD.