NYT: ‘“He [Friedrich Merz] lacks the trust of his citizens,” Mr. Putin said, “and the reason is clear: He does not defend national interests, but trades them away.” It was a well-known argument to Germans, because it is also a favorite talking point of the far-right Alternative for Germany, or the AfD, and of the Russia-friendly supporters who propelled the party to a blowout victory in (…) in the state of Saxony-Anhalt.’

And: ‘AfD leaders accused Mr. Merz of forsaking Germany’s domestic concerns to send arms to Ukraine and to engage in a risky and costly defense buildup. They have argued that sanctions are hurting Germany more than Russia; that Germany should resume cheap Russian gas deliveries to revive its economy; and that Western leaders are to blame for the war in Ukraine.’

Both Putin and Trump love the AfD. But the AfD loves Putin more than it loves Trump.

(a sf 2231)

Sociologist Hartmut Rosa had a conversation with Max Florian Kühlem of the Süddeutsche about the AfD’s election victory in Saxony-Anhalt. Rosa believes that COVID was one of the many reasons why especially people in eastern Germany decided to vote for the AfD: ‘East Germans have, as a result of their history, a certain skepticism toward state authorities that claim to know what is right, and when the state presumed to pierce the skin—as many people perceived it—that was almost a physically shocking experience.’

Also: ‘Compassion for Palestinians? You’re probably an antisemite. At some point, people say: Well, then I’m a Nazi. That’s why I’m skeptical when AfD voters are constantly addressed as enemies of democracy. That doesn’t help.’

And: ‘I believe what is lacking are politicians who stand for a vision of this country out of genuine passion.’

Perhaps. Trump and the AfD as salesmen in genuine passion.

(a sf 2230)

Shlomi Eldar and Ruth Yuval in Haaretz: ‘A week and a half before October 7, 2023 the Emirati ruler called Netanyahu from the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi and spoke with him for 45 minutes. In that conversation, bin Zayed warned that Hamas' leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, was planning a major operation against Israel.’ And: ‘An Israeli security source involved in preparing the talks confirms that "by the end of August 2023, Netanyahu approved the release of 30 prisoners, including 20 serving life sentences, to be chosen by the Shin Bet."’ As well: ‘"The basic problem was that Hamas was looking for a 'permanent end to the conflict,' as they called it," concludes William J. Burns, the former CIA director, in his characteristically measured manner.’

The “permanent end” may have been just another metaphor.

But anyhow, Bibi was definitely not interested in permanent ends.

(a sf 2229)

The Economist: ‘A record-breaking turnout, projected at over 75%, fell in the party’s favour; exit polls suggested that over half of the AfD’s growth since the last election in 2021 came from mobilising non-voters. Its score is not quite enough for the single-party majority that Ulrich Siegmund, the party’s lead candidate, had sought. But Mr Siegmund may yet have alternative routes to power. Either way, it is a result that will resonate far beyond this small, largely rural state. Alice Weidel, the AfD’s co-leader and an aspirant for the chancellorship, said she expected the result to topple the federal government and lead to fresh elections. That is a stretch, but Der Spiegel (…) called on Friedrich Merz, the chancellor, to consider his position. Even Donald Trump found time to post an election projection from a German pollster.’

Trump is happy. The AfD project: first destroy the CDU, then Germany.

(a sf 2228)

Nicolas Richter in the Süddeutsche: ‘The Federal Republic of Germany, once founded as an alternative to the system of Nazi criminals, is no longer immune to right-wing extremism. On Sunday, according to projections, the far-right AfD won a good 44 percent in Saxony-Anhalt— for the first time in a state or federal election, almost half of the votes. What remains of the long-held belief that Nazis, their sympathizers, and those who downplay their crimes had been banished from power in Germany forever is now the warning that nothing is secure for eternity.’

And: ‘But the democratic camp cannot hide from the implications of this election either: if the AfD does indeed fail to win an absolute majority in the state parliament, the CDU would presumably have to take over again, form a fragile coalition, and even cooperate with the Left.’

Was post-war Germany ever immune? More so then than now.

(a sf 2227)

Hans Kundnani in NYT: ‘Saxony-Anhalt, a former East German state of around two million people, is relatively small. But the significance of the election there on Sunday could be seismic. The AfD is on track to win overwhelmingly and perhaps even secure an overall majority, which would mean that it could form a state government for the first time in its history.’

And: ‘What makes the AfD’s rise especially shocking is that it is much more extreme than other European far-right parties that either are already in power, like Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy, or could be soon, like Marine Le Pen’s National Rally.’

As well: ‘Yet what the country needs is not a different chancellor but a completely different approach. Until then, the AfD will continue to inch closer to power.’

What kind of approach? Another war? No more firewall? Maybe two Germanies, as we had before?

(a sf 2226)

Der Spiegel: ‘A German passport through a fabricated kinship with Nazi victims? Can that be true? German citizenship is among the most valuable in the world. Holders of the wine-red passport can travel to more than 180 countries without a visa. (…) By international standards, the German passport is a kind of gold card.’

And: ‘The Süßkinds had to leave Germany during the Nazi dictatorship and they fled to Palestine. Their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren can easily be traced. Liu H. is not one of them. The Düsseldorf public prosecutor's office and the BKA have been working on the case for about a year now, and new suspects keep being added – more than 30 so far.’

As well: ‘If you invoke Nazi victims, you won’t have to explain your story any further.’

Nation-state privilege will always create black markets, crime, and fabricated stories. Some more poignant than others.

(a sf 2225)