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INSIDE GERMANY

Inside Germany: September heatwave and what happens after AfD state election victory?

From the aftermath of the AfD state election win to the sweltering start to September and Currywurst's birthday, here's what we're talking about in Germany this week.

Published: 7 September 2024 10:05 CEST
Inside Germany: September heatwave and what happens after AfD state election victory?
A dog cools down in the water during an early morning walk in Hamburg on September 3rd. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Thomas Müller

What happens next after AfD win?

It’s been an eventful week. 

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won the biggest share of votes in Thuringia, marking the first time that a far-right party has won a state election in Germany since WWII. 

In Saxony, the AfD also made strong gains, coming just behind the conservative CDU party. Meanwhile the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), a new left-wing populist party, had the third biggest share of votes in both states.

So what happens now? 

Mainstream parties have so far refused to step into a coalition with the anti-immigration AfD, meaning that it is unlikely that the party will get into power, although they will have more influence.  

Now lengthy and complicated talks are underway, mainly led by the CDU, and time will tell how (or if) parties can build partnerships to piece together new state parliaments. 

Demonstrators display a banner reading 'AfD ban now' and 'Mario Voigt says no to AfD' during a demonstration in front of Thuringia's State Parliament in Erfurt, eastern Germany, on September 1, 2024, during the Thuringia's regional elections day.

Demonstrators display a banner reading ‘AfD ban now’ and ‘Mario Voigt says no to AfD’ during a demonstration in front of Thuringia’s State Parliament in Erfurt, eastern Germany, on September 1, 2024, during the Thuringia’s regional elections day. Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP

Many are wondering what this means for Germany and the federal election coming up next year. At the moment the AfD is polling in second position nationwide, well behind the CDU. But there’s also a state election coming up in Brandenburg on September 22nd where the AfD is expected to surge. 

Another outcome of the votes in Saxony and Thuringia was that parties belonging to the current federal coalition (Social Democrats, Greens and Free Democrats) performed terribly. 

Readers of The Local shared their concerns this week about the political landscape and the rise of the far-right. 

Pinto from India told us that they are worried about a future which may involve “policy changes which impact immigration and citizenship for me and my family”.

Fatemah, an Indian living in Munich, told The Local that she’s concerned about the “possibility of an increase in hate crimes, racism and Islamophobia”.

Another reader, Ali, who’s from the UK, said: “The rise of the far right worries me wherever it is. But for AfD to be so popular, it feels like the post war consensus of ‘Never Again’ is being forgotten.”

READ MORE: 

Happy birthday to Currywurst

September 4th marked 75 years since Currywurst was invented! Do you count this as one of your favourite German snacks?

Hiding from the heat 

We may be saying goodbye to summer, but it is still sweltering hot across many parts of Germany. 

In Berlin, temperatures climbed above 32C at one point this week, while there were some storms elsewhere.

It may be because I spent a couple of weeks in Scotland in August where autumn weather came early (it always does), but I’ve found the heat difficult to deal with. 

It’s been interesting to report on how cities in Germany are preparing for the climbing temperatures. Many German cities have developed a ‘heat plan’, for developing better ways to protect people rom dangerously high temperatures and provide more cool spaces.

But some cities are well ahead of others in terms of converting concrete covered ‘sealed’ spaces to green spaces (which is among the best ways to cool a city centre). These include Detmold and Potsdam. 

Temperatures are set to dip somewhat across the country next week. But if you’re still struggling this weekend, check out our story which has plenty of helpful advice:

And my personal tip to get through the heatwave (or even in the rain) is: eat lots of ice cream. 

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INSIDE GERMANY

Inside Germany: Border arguments, pumpkin ‘Frauenpower’ and autumn comfort food

From a plan to increase border checks that isn't making anyone happy to the return of a famous pumpkin festival and seasonal foods, here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.

Published: 14 September 2024 10:56 CEST
Inside Germany: Border arguments, pumpkin 'Frauenpower' and autumn comfort food

Inside Germany is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in Germany that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.

Germany’s increased border checks spark massive row

One of the things that travellers enjoy when moving around the EU is the freedom to cross borders in countries within the Schengen zone without facing lengthy checks. 

But Germany this week announced it would tighten its border controls.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said checks already in place with Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland would be extended to the borders with France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark for an initial six months.

READ ALSO: How Germany’s increased border checks will affect travel from neighbouring countries

The move is due to increased pressure on the government to limit irregular migration – this is the term used for people trying to enter Germany without going through the usual channels like with a visa. It’s also a reaction to a number of high-profile attacks or attempted attacks involving alleged Islamic extremists. 

Faeser is working on a plan that would see German police temporarily detain asylum seekers already registered in other EU member states, while authorities work to speedily send them back to that country.

As you can imagine, though, the EU is not happy about this – and neither are other European countries. 

The European Commission said that member states were allowed to take a step like this to address “a serious threat”, but that the measures needed to be “necessary and proportionate”.

Faeser said Germany would not take measures “that could harm the European Union”, but also outlined in a letter to the Commission that authorities were struggling to deal with the influx of people. 

So will this solution put an end to the arguments in Germany?

Probably not. The government has been getting eaten alive by the opposition conservatives, who want to see a ‘national emergency’ declared and tougher measures on asylum seekers. Meanwhile, the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) are making historic gains in eastern elections. 

As we wrote this week, the challenge of controlling who should be allowed to come to Germany is one of the trickiest items at the top of the German government’s agenda. 

READ ALSO: Debt, migration and the far-right – The big challenges facing Germany this autumn

In the Bundestag debate Chancellor Olaf Scholz, of the Social Democrats, said that Germany desperately needs the help of people from abroad to plug gaps in the labour market and fuel economic growth.

“There is no country in the world with a shrinking labour force that has economic growth,” said Scholz. “That is the truth that we are confronted with,” he added, while also emphasising the need for management and control of migration.

Notification fail

Some would say that Germany’s obsession with titles and qualifications has gone too far. 

Pumpkin festival has ‘Frauenpower’

Pumpkin festival

Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Christoph Schmidt

It’s that time of year again! Every year a weird and wonderful Pumpkin Festival or Kürbisausstellung, takes place at the  Blühenden Barock in the small city of Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg. This year is the 25th anniversary and the theme is ‘Frauenpower’ (Women’s Power). That’s why Mexican painter and icon Frida Kahlo has been immortalised with pumpkins by the artist Pit Ruge.

Check out the exhibition before it finishes on November 3rd. Look out for Cleopatra and Marge Simpson! 

Autumnal comfort food

Speaking of pumpkin or Kürbis, they are also a delicious food to get on your plate at this time of year. 

With the drop in temperatures, it’s time for summer salads to be cast aside so we can focus on nutrient-dense soups and hearty stews again. 

You can add pumpkin to almost any meal. Combining it with coconut milk to make a curry is my personal favourite, but I also would not say no to Kübiskuchen (pumpkin pie). 

It’s not just the pumpkin’s time to shine, though. Squashes, mushrooms, cabbage, chestnuts and apples are all ingredients that you can use to make delicious meals at this time of year. 

Slightly heavier (and cheesier) dishes like the Käsespätzle are also perfect for the cooler months. 

READ ALSO: 10 ways to enjoy autumn like a true German 

What’s on your menu in Germany this autumn? Let us know! 

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