Sebastian Schäffer on FO Talks: Will Historic AfD Victory Now Sink German Chancellor Friedrich Merz?

IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer spoke with Fair Observer about the AfD’s strong performance in Saxony-Anhalt, the challenges facing Friedrich Merz’s government and the broader political dissatisfaction shaping Germany. 

Schäffer argued that the result should not be understood solely as an expansion of support for the AfD, but also in the context of declining confidence in established political parties. Economic concerns, dissatisfaction with the political status quo and perceptions that established parties are failing to address major challenges are important parts of the current political environment. 

The discussion also addressed Germany’s economic transformation. Schäffer pointed to the pressure on the country’s industrial model, particularly the automotive sector, and argued that the structural challenges facing Germany cannot be resolved by attempting to restore previous economic conditions. 

A central theme of the interview was the growing political importance of nostalgia. Schäffer questioned the idea that Germany or Europe can return to an earlier period of prosperity or political stability. He stressed that the past is often remembered selectively and that political promises of restoring a supposedly better earlier period do not provide solutions to the challenges ahead. 

At the same time, Schäffer emphasised that acknowledging current problems should not mean denying the achievements of the past decades. German reunification and European integration have brought substantial changes, including the removal of borders and deeper European cooperation, while economic and social shortcomings remain to be addressed. 

The interview also covered migration and integration, Germany’s political system and coalition governments, and the challenge of developing policies capable of responding to economic, demographic and security pressures without reducing political debate to a choice between left and right. 

The full interview is available from Fair Observer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhguD5XWI04