Why Germany's far-right surge really should worry us
The rise of the far right in Germany and the reconfiguration of its military power. An analysis of the economic and geopolitical implications.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
The electoral success of Germany's far right is not just a reflection of social discontent; it is also intertwined with the country's ambitious military restructuring, raising questions about its control and future leadership.
## Discontent in the old East Germany
The recent electoral success of the German far right in **Saxony-Anhalt** cannot be explained by immigration or the culture war alone. While these factors play a role, the root of the problem appears to be deeper and is anchored in the persistent disillusionment of the states that made up the former German Democratic Republic. Almost four decades after the fall of the Berlin Wall, these regions still lag behind the country's more prosperous areas. The figures point to higher unemployment, lower wages and insufficient investment. On top of this comes an industrial crisis, especially in the automotive sector, which foreshadows significant changes and could be the trigger for a perfect storm. The foreign population in **Saxony-Anhalt**, barely **9%** of the total, well below the German average of **20%**, suggests that xenophobia is not the main driver of this vote.
## A strategic shift towards rearmament
Parallel to this picture of discontent, Germany has embarked on a historic shift in its economic and security policy, known as the **Zeitenwende**, or turning point. Faced with the weaknesses of its automotive industry and growing geopolitical instability, the German government has decided to allocate a considerable sum to Defence: **783,800 million euros** between **2026 and 2030**. This ambitious plan seeks to compensate for decades of military underinvestment and drive a transition towards technological self-sufficiency and rearmament. The roadmap is clear: by **2029**, investment in defence startups and an increase in personnel will be prioritised. By **2035**, a massive expansion on land, at sea, in the air and in cyberspace is planned, reaching **460,000 personnel** between soldiers and reservists. From that year on, the goal is to lead future innovations driven by military artificial intelligence.
## The risk of unchecked power
The official doctrine speaks of reshaping the productive fabric, but the underlying reading points to turning Germany into the leading military power in Western Europe, doubling the number of military personnel in France and tripling that of the United Kingdom. This imposing defence apparatus, whose control could, in the not-too-distant future, fall into the hands of citizens increasingly disillusioned with the system, poses a real risk. The concern goes beyond Germany's borders, generating unease in countries such as France, England or Belgium. This advance of the German far right, far from being a ghostly threat, feeds on the denial of reality by traditional parties, which often pursue erratic and irresponsible policies. The case of **Ceuta**, with a government performance questioned for its incompetence and lack of leadership, stands as a dramatic example of how inaction and political malpractice can pave the way for the growth of extremism.
## Discontent in the old East Germany
The recent electoral success of the German far right in **Saxony-Anhalt** cannot be explained by immigration or the culture war alone. While these factors play a role, the root of the problem appears to be deeper and is anchored in the persistent disillusionment of the states that made up the former German Democratic Republic. Almost four decades after the fall of the Berlin Wall, these regions still lag behind the country's more prosperous areas. The figures point to higher unemployment, lower wages and insufficient investment. On top of this comes an industrial crisis, especially in the automotive sector, which foreshadows significant changes and could be the trigger for a perfect storm. The foreign population in **Saxony-Anhalt**, barely **9%** of the total, well below the German average of **20%**, suggests that xenophobia is not the main driver of this vote.
## A strategic shift towards rearmament
Parallel to this picture of discontent, Germany has embarked on a historic shift in its economic and security policy, known as the **Zeitenwende**, or turning point. Faced with the weaknesses of its automotive industry and growing geopolitical instability, the German government has decided to allocate a considerable sum to Defence: **783,800 million euros** between **2026 and 2030**. This ambitious plan seeks to compensate for decades of military underinvestment and drive a transition towards technological self-sufficiency and rearmament. The roadmap is clear: by **2029**, investment in defence startups and an increase in personnel will be prioritised. By **2035**, a massive expansion on land, at sea, in the air and in cyberspace is planned, reaching **460,000 personnel** between soldiers and reservists. From that year on, the goal is to lead future innovations driven by military artificial intelligence.
## The risk of unchecked power
The official doctrine speaks of reshaping the productive fabric, but the underlying reading points to turning Germany into the leading military power in Western Europe, doubling the number of military personnel in France and tripling that of the United Kingdom. This imposing defence apparatus, whose control could, in the not-too-distant future, fall into the hands of citizens increasingly disillusioned with the system, poses a real risk. The concern goes beyond Germany's borders, generating unease in countries such as France, England or Belgium. This advance of the German far right, far from being a ghostly threat, feeds on the denial of reality by traditional parties, which often pursue erratic and irresponsible policies. The case of **Ceuta**, with a government performance questioned for its incompetence and lack of leadership, stands as a dramatic example of how inaction and political malpractice can pave the way for the growth of extremism.
Also available in: Deutsch
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (2 replies).
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