De ce e atât de puternică extrema dreaptă în estul Germaniei?

The recent elections in Saxony-Anhalt revealed over 40% support for the far-right AfD party, raising questions about historical lessons learned in Germany. The party's success is rooted in the persistent resentment of East Germans towards West Germans, stemming from economic and cultural disparities since reunification. Despite some convergence over time, significant gaps remain, particularly in unemployment and income levels. The AfD's rise is linked to the historical context of East Germany, where isolation during the Soviet occupation fostered xenophobia. The influx of refugees in 2015 exacerbated these sentiments, leading to increased support for the AfD, which has transformed from a eurosceptic party to one with strong far-right, racist, and xenophobic elements. The lack of a thorough reckoning with the Nazi past in East Germany contributes to this vulnerability to extremist rhetoric.