Ost German Writer Christoph Hein Blames AfD’s Success on a Rejection of the West
Ost German writer Christoph Hein has attributed the success of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the East to a defiant reaction against the West. According to Hein, the AfD’s strength stems from a sense of dissatisfaction among people who feel that they have been let down by various factors. He told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland that East Germans have the feeling of “living a life without self-determination and fighting back with whatever means are available” primarily through their choice to vote for the AfD.
Hein criticized the lack of a founding generation in East Germany in 1989/90, stating, “For at least a little bit of control, there should be someone from East Germany. But no one from the East sat at the crucial levers. If you don’t have anything to say at the critical levers in economics, universities and politics, you can’t make any changes.”
Hein explained that a sense of inferiority and West dominance has led to a form of self-identity in the East, which is a response to the humiliation experienced. He added, “I think that the so-called Nazi component among the voters is very small and the main reason for voting for the AfD is the rejection of this West German dominance. People believe that they can express their voice through such an unusual party.”
However, Hein believes that the AfD is not the voice of the East. “After all, this AfD will, if it comes to power – and it can – be dominated by West Germany, just like it is now” he said. “It has only found the suitable foot soldiers in East Germany.