Sebastian Schäffer on the elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern for TVP World

IDM Director Sebastian Schäffer spoke with TVP World about the state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the continued strength of the AfD in eastern Germany and the wider political pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz. 

Schäffer stressed that the two elections should not be treated as part of a single political pattern. While housing affordability is a central issue in Berlin, the campaign in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is shaped more strongly by dissatisfaction with established parties, economic concerns and perceptions of political and social disadvantage in eastern Germany. 

The discussion also addressed the persistence of the East-West divide in German political debate. Schäffer argued that the challenge is no longer primarily one of remembering the division of Germany, but of overcoming what he described as a “wall in the head” between eastern and western Germany. He pointed to the disappearance of borders within the EU as one of the major achievements of German reunification and European integration, noting that this achievement is often insufficiently appreciated. 

The interview further highlighted the complexity of the AfD’s electoral support. Schäffer noted that immigration from outside Germany is comparatively limited in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, despite migration being one of the issues heavily emphasised by the AfD. He therefore argued that the party’s strength cannot be explained by migration alone, but must also be understood in the context of dissatisfaction with established political parties and economic concerns. 

Finally, Schäffer discussed the potential federal consequences of poor election results for the governing parties. He noted that particularly severe losses could increase pressure within the CDU on the Chancellor, while also stressing that the decisive political test would come with the next major state elections rather than necessarily with these votes alone. 

The full interview is available from TVP World and was aired before the ballots closed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0ZU7kavVo4