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A notable standout in this election was the Alternative for Germany (AFD), a far-right party that, despite being founded merely a decade earlier in 2013, secured a startling 21% of the national vote—a record high for a far-right party in Germany since the fall of Nazi rule. This win was particularly pronounced in the eastern regions of Germany, where the AFD garnered more than 38% of the vote in Thuringia, over 37% in Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, and around 32.5% in Brandenburg. In stark contrast, Western regions saw a significantly lower AFD presence, averaging about 18%.
The maps showcasing these electoral outcomes starkly mirrored the former boundaries of the Iron Curtain, highlighting a divide that continues to reflect deeper historical and socio-economic disparities.