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Image: Jens Meyer/AP Photo/picture allianceImage: Jens Meyer/AP Photo/picture alliance

Thuringia

Thuringia is a federal state in the central part of Germany with a population of 2 million. It is famous for its poets, winter sports, scientific research and sausages. It is also a stronghold of the far-right AfD party.

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A man stand sin front of the construction site of the first mosque in the German city of Erfurt

A man stand sin front of the construction site of the first mosque in the German city of Erfurt

Building a mosque in East Germany

A Muslim community is building one of East Germany's first mosques with a minaret. Some residents are strongly opposed.

A defendant sits in the courtroom during the continuation of the trial at the Dresden Higher Regional Court (OLG) and holds a writing pad with the words "Free Lina" in front of his face

A defendant sits in the courtroom during the continuation of the trial at the Dresden Higher Regional Court (OLG) and holds a writing pad with the words "Free Lina" in front of his face

Germany: Suspected left-wing extremist arrested in Thuringia

German police have arrested an alleged violent left-wing extremist leader in the eastern state of Thuringia.

German lawmakers want to ban the far-right AfD party

The plan has renewed focus on the question of whether a ban would help or hinder the rise of the far-right.

Radikaler Rechtsruck - Kommt alles wie 1933?

Radikaler Rechtsruck - Kommt alles wie 1933?

Could Germany repeat its Nazi past?

Germany's far-right AfD party did well in the country's recent state elections, and has been on the rise for years.

Two male politicians from the AfD party walk with documents.

Two male politicians from the AfD party walk with documents.

AfD's political rise sparks fears among immigrants

The rising popularity of Germany's anti-immigrant party AfD has sparked fears among foreigners living in the country.

Timo Chrupalla and Alice Weidel

Timo Chrupalla and Alice Weidel

Calls grow in Germany to ban far-right AfD

The AfD has caused chaos in Thuringia's state parliament after election gains, sparking renewed debate over a party ban.

AfD co-leaders Tino Chrupalla (L) and Alice Weidel (R) on stage during a party convention

AfD co-leaders Tino Chrupalla (L) and Alice Weidel (R) on stage during a party convention

Germany: Is the rise of far-right AfD to power inevitable?

After elections in three eastern German states, a further rise of Germany's far-right AfD cannot be ruled out.

Thadäus König, the newly elected president of the State Parliament of Thuringia

Thadäus König, the newly elected president of the State Parliament of Thuringia

Germany: Thuringia lawmakers pick CDU speaker, rejecting AfD

The Thuringia parliament has chosen a member of the mainstream center-right CDU as its new speaker.

Jürgen Treutler (left) and Björn Höcke entering state parliament on September 26

Jürgen Treutler (left) and Björn Höcke entering state parliament on September 26

Germany: Far-right AfD sparks chaos in state parliament

The AfD is staging a political scandal that seems well prepared. The consequences are likely to be far-reaching.

Omid Nouripour and Ricarda Lang announcing their resignation at a press conference in Berlin. September 25, 2024.

Omid Nouripour and Ricarda Lang announcing their resignation at a press conference in Berlin. September 25, 2024.

Germany: Green co-leaders Lang and Nouripour resign

The co-leaders of the Germany's Greens, Ricarda Lang and Omid Nouripour, have announced they're stepping down.

An election campaign billboard of the AfD party showing a Germany flag and the slogan Germany first

An election campaign billboard of the AfD party showing a Germany flag and the slogan Germany first

Far-right gains in east Germany could deal blow to economy

The far-right AfD has again made gains in a vote in eastern Germany, stirring worries about the region's economy.

Four men stand inside a factory in Thuringia

Four men stand inside a factory in Thuringia

Immigrants in eastern Germany ask: Leave or stay?

The far-right AfD has aggressively campaigned against migrants in state elections in Thuringia, Saxony and Brandenburg.

DW-Videostill I Fokus Moschee Erfurt

DW-Videostill I Fokus Moschee Erfurt

Focus on Europe — Spotlight on People

Germany’s far-right gains raise concerns for Muslims in eastern Germany.

Sahra Wagenknecht amid reporters

Sahra Wagenknecht amid reporters

Germany's new BSW party shakes up political landscape

The BSW has only been around since early 2024 but won 16% of the vote in Thuringia's state election.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits a tank production line

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits a tank production line

German support for Ukraine under pressure from populists

The populist BSW and far-right AfD did well in state elections, after campaigning on ending arms deliveries to Ukraine.

A view of Erfurt's mosque with its minaret still covered in scaffolding

A view of Erfurt's mosque with its minaret still covered in scaffolding

AfD to prevent Thuringia's first mosque?

Muslims in eastern Germany are anxious following AfD victories in state elections.

Björn Hocke

Björn Hocke

What next for Germany's far right following its state win?

Following the far-right AfD's record result in the state of Thuringia, its influence is growing. What is its goal?

A red-haired woman speaks into a DW microphone

A red-haired woman speaks into a DW microphone

AfD Thuringia win: 'I don't know what'll become of Germany'

What are voters saying about the far-right victory in Thuringia, the first state election win since 1945?

Hand holding a mobile phone on whose display a video of AFD politician Alice Weidel can be seen on the TikTok platform

Hand holding a mobile phone on whose display a video of AFD politician Alice Weidel can be seen on the TikTok platform

TikTok likely helped far right in German elections: analysts

The far-right AfD was twice as effective at reaching first-time voters on the app than all other parties combined.

Pedestrians walk by a glass-fronted shop in Chemnitz which has closing down posters on the doors and windows

Pedestrians walk by a glass-fronted shop in Chemnitz which has closing down posters on the doors and windows

German businesses worried about far-right gains in the east

The success of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in state elections has raised concerns among business leaders.

A view of Thuringia's AfD top candidate Björn Höcke, surrounded by reporters

A view of Thuringia's AfD top candidate Björn Höcke, surrounded by reporters

German voters give far right first major postwar win

The AfD's chances of governing, however, remain slim as all mainstream parties refuse to cooperate with it.

A man walks down a hall in a voting center

A man walks down a hall in a voting center

Far-right AfD triumphs in states ahead of national election

DW correspondents in Erfurt, Dresden and Berlin assess the implications for next year's national election.

Sahra Wagenknecht giving a speech in June 2024

Sahra Wagenknecht giving a speech in June 2024

What is Germany's populist BSW party?

The brand new Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) is gaining traction. Many of its positions overlap with the far right.

AfD leader in Saxony, Jörg Urban, watches the election results

AfD leader in Saxony, Jörg Urban, watches the election results

Germany: Thuringia and Saxony elections propel far-right AfD

State elections in Saxony and Thuringia showcased the rise of anti-establishment parties, with AfD coming on top.

Björn Höcke, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) top candidate in Thuringia, points past the camera

Björn Höcke, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) top candidate in Thuringia, points past the camera

Germany's far-right AfD wins big in state elections

The AfD's Thuringia win is the first time since World War II that a far-right party has come first in a regional vote.

Björn Höcke

Björn Höcke

Germany's far-right AfD: 'We have a clear mandate to govern'

The AfD is celebrating record election results in Thuringia and Saxony but is unlikely to form or join a government.

A person at a table hidden by the walls of a voting booth

A person at a table hidden by the walls of a voting booth

German elections: Far right wins big — results in numbers

DW looks at which parties won and which lost in regional elections in two eastern German states.

Höcke: AfD 'ready' for government duties

The leader of Thuringia's far-right AfD told public broadcaster ARD that he wants to head up a coalition government.

Björn Höcke

Björn Höcke

AfD's Björn Höcke: A 'fascist' wins election in Thuringia

Analysts fear far-reaching consequences if the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany takes power in Thuringia.

A Carníval float showing Alice Weidel and Sahra Wagenknecht's heads on a car steered by Vladimir Putin with blood on his hands

A Carníval float showing Alice Weidel and Sahra Wagenknecht's heads on a car steered by Vladimir Putin with blood on his hands

Russia's best friends in Germany: AfD and BSW

The far-right AfD and left-wing Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance oppose support for Ukraine — a popular stance with voters.

A CU of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) top candidate in Thuringia, Björn Höcke

A CU of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) top candidate in Thuringia, Björn Höcke

Germany's far-right AfD wins first state election

DW Chief Political Correspondent Nina Haase reports from Erfurt in the state of Thuringia.

A BSW poster featuring Sarah Wagenknecht and proclaiming her party gives security a home

A BSW poster featuring Sarah Wagenknecht and proclaiming her party gives security a home

'A one-woman show,' the Sahra Wagenknecht phenomenon

She may be controversial, but her new party’s success in eastern Germany could change the country’s political landscape.

Protesters hold up a banner against the far-right during a protest in Erfurt, Thuringia state, Germany, on August 31. 2024

Protesters hold up a banner against the far-right during a protest in Erfurt, Thuringia state, Germany, on August 31. 2024

Germany: Anti-far-right protests held ahead of state polls

Ahead of the Saxony and Thuringia elections, protesters rallied in Erfurt against the anti-immigration AfD party.

In Görlitz an AfD campaign poster reading 'Security instead of Chaos'

In Görlitz an AfD campaign poster reading 'Security instead of Chaos'

Germany's regional elections threaten Scholz’s coalition

The far-right AfD could win three eastern state elections, dealing a blow to Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition.

The flags of Ukraine and Russia

The flags of Ukraine and Russia

Foreign policy dominates regional elections in Germany

Why is Russia’s war in Ukraine high on the agenda in German regional elections in Saxony and Thuringia?

Sahra Wagenknecht (R), chair of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), on stage after the paint attack at a campaign event in Erfurt, Thuringia, Germany, on August 29, 2024.

Sahra Wagenknecht (R), chair of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), on stage after the paint attack at a campaign event in Erfurt, Thuringia, Germany, on August 29, 2024.

German politician hit with paint ahead of state election

The attack comes days before elections in two eastern German states where her party is expected to emerge as kingmaker.

Vorschaubild Explainer Wie tickt der Osten?

Vorschaubild Explainer Wie tickt der Osten?

The German far-right leader with anti-democratic ties

Far-right politician Björn Höcke wants to become the leader of the German state of Thuringia.

AfD election campaign poster in Altenburg in Thuringia

AfD election campaign poster in Altenburg in Thuringia

Germany: Immigrants in east wary of rising far-right AfD

The far-right, anti-immigration AfD party is set for election victory in two eastern states. Most immigrants are worried

Deutschland Zugeschmiertes Plakat von Joerg Prophet (AdD)

Deutschland Zugeschmiertes Plakat von Joerg Prophet (AdD)

Right-wing shift threatens Thuringia's economy

As voters in the regional state of Thuringia go to the polls, businesses hope the right-wing AfD party can be stopped.

A political poster for Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer at a tram station in Dresden

A political poster for Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer at a tram station in Dresden

Germany: Will a right-wing shift hit businesses and jobs?

As voters in Saxony go to the polls in state elections some fear a sharp political turn will hurt business investment.

makeshift memorial of flowers and candles at the site of a knife attack in Solingen

makeshift memorial of flowers and candles at the site of a knife attack in Solingen

Solingen knife attack heats up German election campaign

A suspected Islamist stabbed three people to death. This has reignited the debate on migration and security.

An Asian man inspects a set of gears in a Berlin factory

An Asian man inspects a set of gears in a Berlin factory

Foreign workers 'indispensable' for eastern Germany — study

The data was published just days before the anti-immigrant AfD looks set for big wins in state elections there.

Statues of Johann Wolfgang Goethe and Friedrich Schiller on Weimar's central square, Theaterplatz

Statues of Johann Wolfgang Goethe and Friedrich Schiller on Weimar's central square, Theaterplatz

Thuringia: A small German state with big political impact

Germany's eastern state of Thuringia is famous for many things. It is also a stronghold of the far right.

Friedrich Merz (r) and Mario Voigt attends a CDU rally

Friedrich Merz (r) and Mario Voigt attends a CDU rally

Germany: In Thuringia, Merz repeats CDU won't ally with AfD

The CDU leader Friedrich Merz is touring eastern states ahead of votes where the far-right AfD is likely to fare well.

Reinhard Schramm, head of the Jewish community in Erfurt

Reinhard Schramm, head of the Jewish community in Erfurt

Rise of far-right AfD worries Germany's Jewish community

The far-right AfD has a chance of winning all three of Germany's upcoming state elections, alarming Jewish people.

AfD campaign poster reading 'It is time for peace'

AfD campaign poster reading 'It is time for peace'

Foreign policy shapes regional elections in eastern Germany

Many East Germans voters are skeptical about support for Ukraine and the stationing of US missiles in Germany.

DW Landtagswahlen l Fokus Europa l Migration, AfD l Videostill

DW Landtagswahlen l Fokus Europa l Migration, AfD l Videostill

Foreign students in Germany afraid of the AfD

Foreign students in Cottbus are choosing to live in protected communities, fearing attacks.

Deutschland Brandenburg Kundgebung der AfD

Deutschland Brandenburg Kundgebung der AfD

Why is the far-right AfD so powerful in eastern Germany?

Why is the far-right AfD so powerful in eastern Germany?

A hamster peeks out of its hole in a farmer's field

A hamster peeks out of its hole in a farmer's field

Should bulldozers make way for hamsters?

Germany has strict laws when construction clashes with wildlife. But should we spend millions to protect a few animals?

A church belfry with a bell and a cross visible

A church belfry with a bell and a cross visible

Germany: 90-year-old trapped in church, saved by the bell

A nursing home resident in the German town of Apolda used church bells to call for help after being locked in.