Click and follow now! In the relatively well-off city of Zwickau, in Germany's former communist east, economic uncertainty and a turbulent history have combined to drive support for the far right ahead of a key regional election.
To understand why "the mood is so bad" ahead of Sunday's elections in the state of Saxony, one has to "perhaps delve into the past", she told AFP. Zwickau residents have "achieved a certain level of prosperity" after a period of painful decline in the wake of German reunification in , she said. The city owes its revival in part to its status as a hub for automotive manufacturing, with Volkswagen a major employer in the area.
But recent crises, from the coronavirus pandemic to the Ukraine war and high inflation, have triggered a renewed "fear of losing", said Arndt, 47, from her office overlooking a picturesque market square. Judicial reforms strain Mexican-US ties, spook investors. Unlock the best of Yen. Subscribe now and get your daily inspiration! As a result, some are voting for the far-right Alternative for Germany AfD party "out of protest", the independent mayor in the city of some 90, people added.
At the start of the year, thousands of people in Zwickau nevertheless rallied against the far right following revelations that some members of the anti-Islam, anti-immigrant AfD had joined a meeting that discussed plans for mass deportations of asylum seekers.
The rallies, which also took place across Germany, were at the time seen as a rare mobilisation of the so-called silent majority against right-wing extremism. In early June, the AfD won a municipal election to become the largest group on Zwickau's district council. Although the AfD fell short of a majority, council discussions are expected to become more challenging, the mayor predicted, particularly regarding cultural funding.
