Germany’s election results shocked the world, how did right-wing parties like AFD emerge in Marx’s country?
Just like Kashi is one of the few ancient and living cities of the world, so is the German city of Trier (or Troia). Troia was settled by the Roman king Augusta Caesar in the 16th century BC on the banks of the Mosel river. Karl Marx was born here. His house is now a museum, entering which costs ten euros.
Against Marx
The atmosphere here flows against the philosophy of Karl Marx. Germany has implemented modern capitalism in the garb of Marx’s socialism. This has been considered the source of its great economic strength. But now, when the right wing has risen, a change is being felt there. Although this change is less visible at the level of society. After Hitler, no German likes to talk about topics like the Holocaust, yet they have preserved the German Holocaust Memorial in a proper manner.
Rising right wing
The politics of modern Germany is also a bit different. Attempts to ban the far-right National Democratic Party (NDP) with neo-Nazi tendencies have failed in 2003 and 2017. The good performance of the far-right in this election has created new confusion. The center-right coalition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) have received the highest 28.60% votes. The far-right Alternative for Deutschland (AFD), which became popular on the issue of migrants, has received 20.80% votes. But there is little hope of an alliance between these two.
Immigrant issue
The issue of migrants in Germany was not expected to become as big as it has become. A bigger issue in German society is the environment, on which Green parties keep trying to create public opinion. Society boils over issues like shutting down nuclear plants. German society has also been vocal in expressing its views on issues related to human values. When the previous German Chancellor Angela Merkel opened Germany’s doors to immigrants, Germans welcomed the Syrians with such warmth.
The root of the problem
It is perhaps too early to call the recent election results a big setback for the German politics of the last three decades. The problem is not of politics, but of the market. The European capitalism in which socialism has dominated so far, can there be any change in Germany’s social structure only if its form is affected by Trump’s pressure. The atmosphere in Germany is such that people shy away from talking about America just as they shy away from talking about the Holocaust.
Basic Law
The German constitution, also known as the ‘Basic Law’, has in its preamble, ‘Human dignity is inviolable, it is the duty of all state organs to protect and respect it.’ Anyway, there are dozens of placards hanging in Marx’s house, one of which reads – ‘Marx is rubbish’.
