Eastern Germany's Economic Gains Shadowed by Rising AfD Support

A recent study by the Institute of German Economy highlights significant economic growth in eastern Germany since reunification, with municipal tax revenues increasing markedly and unemployment rates declining. However, this progress contrasts sharply with the persistent support for the right-wing AfD party, which garnered 40% of votes in the last federal election.

Despite eastern communities achieving some economic improvements, they still lag behind their western counterparts in innovation and digitalization, reaching only 78% of the western economic level. Public sentiment reflects growing concerns about security, with fears of potential Russian aggression against NATO.

While there is substantial support for Palestinian statehood, incidents of antisemitism are on the rise, indicating complex social dynamics in this region.