Resurgence of Far-right parties and Anti-Immigration wave in Eastern Germany

Antisemitism and Narrative Building

Abstract

In recent years, Europe has witnessed a significant rise in anti-immigration sentiment alongside the resurgence of far-right political parties. This trend is particularly pronounced in Eastern Germany, where parties such as Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) have garnered substantial public support. This study conducts a comprehensive secondary analysis of existing literature, newspaper articles, and academic research to understand how far-right parties have shaped public narratives around migration in Eastern Germany. This research highlights the region’s unique historical and socio-economic context, such as its position in the former Eastern Bloc during the Cold War and its higher unemployment and poverty rates, which contribute to public disillusionment. Findings suggest that far-right parties strategically manipulate economic anxieties and historical narratives to amplify anti-immigration sentiment. Additionally, this analysis explores the complex relationship between anti-immigration rhetoric and antisemitism, considering Germany’s historical legacy of the Holocaust. The study argues that far-right parties do not merely reflect existing public opinion but actively distort and reshape it through media channels and political discourse. Furthermore, the success of far-right parties influences mainstream political parties to adopt stricter immigration stances, thereby altering the broader political landscape. This secondary research offers important insights into the mechanisms of political narrative construction in the context of migration and extremism in Germany.