As far-right AfD wins big in east, Germany is still voting along Cold War lines

The Berlin Wall may have fallen in 1989, but the Cold War continues to shape German politics even today.

In the 2025 German elections , the far-right AfD has won nearly all of its seats in east Germany that was once controlled by Soviet Union and CDU won nearly all of its seats in west Germany that was controlled by the West.

After World War II, as West and Soviet Union entered into the Cold War era, they divided Germany into two countries. The Soviet Union controlled East Germany and implemented communism there and the West controlled West Germany and implemented liberal Western values there. After decades of dictatorial rule and economic hardships under communism, people in the east finally broke the Berlin Wall in 1989 that marked the physical as well as the symbolic border between the two parts.

In this backdrop, it makes sense that AfD’s stronghold today is in eastern Germany that was once ruled by Soviet Union. The AfD is backed by Russia, its leader Alice Weidel has close links with Russia's principal partner China , and the party has been officially endorsed by Elon Musk, the principal ally of US President Donald Trump, who in turn has emerged in recent weeks as the main partner of Russian leader Vladimir Putin. US Vice President JD Vance had also backed AfD.

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In the map prepared by AFP, it is seen clearly how AfD won in east and CDU in the west of the country.

Only two of 48 seats outside of Berlin in eastern Germany were not won by AfD.

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The political division also extends to economy and demography. In the east, there are fewer younger persons and more unemployment and lesser per capita income compared to the west. The economic disgruntlement is often among the main reason for people’s turn to far-right.

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In last week’s German elections, the AfD nearly doubled its vote share whereas outgoing premier Olaf Scholz’ SPD and liberal FDP suffered most decline (see the graphic below).