The situation in Germany resembles that of 1933, when the economic crisis and public dissatisfaction enabled Hitler to rise to power. Today, the party “Alternative for Germany” (AfD) is exploiting similar social and economic hardships to increase support in the eastern part of the country. Although the chances of the AfD taking power remain small for now, the party’s growing support and extremist rhetoric raise concerns that history could repeat itself.
Correspondent from Stuttgart for the portal Sedma Sila, P. Rakočević, analyzes the current political situation in Germany and the rising support for the AfD, especially following a gathering of young members where one of them imitated Adolf Hitler. His full article follows:
“About the Germans of the day before yesterday, yesterday, and today—we know at least something. Germans of tomorrow, we will meet when the time comes. But perhaps too late?
From followers of Hitler’s National Socialism, descendants of Nazism emerged, and there have been multiple, so far unsuccessful, attempts to question the legality of the relatively recently founded party called ‘Alternative for Germany’ (‘Alternative für Deutschland’—AfD). Could the answer to whether history repeats itself lie in the fact that Hitler and his followers exploited an unprecedented economic crisis and widespread hunger, promising a better life under the Nazis, and in 1933 won numerous votes precisely in areas where life was hardest?
Information from Germany warns that the fascist-like situation in the eastern part of Germany today is similar to that of 1933.
The chances of the pro-Nazi AfD party taking power in Germany are small. What tomorrow holds—might be realized too late.
To briefly explain for younger readers of Sedma Sila, who may not be familiar with the events in Germany shortly after the signing of the armistice, or rather the capitulation of Germany in the Great War:
In a devastated nation forced to accept the armistice and the obligation to pay enormous war reparations in Versailles, widespread unrest and protests emerged, including attempted coups. Some dissatisfied nobles issued a statement on November 8, 1919, claiming that Kaiser Wilhelm II, the main instigator of World War I, had abdicated—which was reportedly untrue. Amid the ensuing turmoil, the Kaiser fled to exile in the Netherlands on November 10, 1919. This led to the abolition of the monarchy and, in the ‘city of culture’ Weimar, the creation of a new parliamentary democracy in Germany. Existing and newly founded parties participated in elections for the so-called Reichstag. The first President of the Reich (state) elected in 1919 by majority vote was socialist Friedrich Ebert. Later presidents were to be elected directly by voters, while government heads—chancellors—were appointed by the Reich president and confirmed by parliament.
In the April 1925 election, no candidate received an absolute majority. Candidates were Wilhelm Marx, communist Ernst Thälmann, and Paul von Hindenburg, who won in the second round. In the next election in 1932, candidates included Adolf Hitler, Ernst Thälmann, Theodor Duesterberg, and Paul von Hindenburg. Duesterberg withdrew in the second round, and Hindenburg narrowly defeated Hitler. Later, according to various accounts, Hindenburg allegedly became close to Hitler and reportedly helped him in 1933, suggesting to parliament that Hitler become Chancellor. Despite Hindenburg’s election, public unrest, economic crises, and other misfortunes continued. War victors demanded reparations, which pushed Germany nearly to the brink of survival. Repeated elections followed, similar to Serbia in recent years—until Hitler ultimately came to power in 1933.
Adolf Hitler, an Austrian with only primary education and a World War I volunteer on the German side, alongside his National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP), participated in multiple elections with initially minimal success. In 1924, his party received only 6.5% of the vote. Dissatisfied supporters organized into paramilitary groups, SA (Sturm-Abteilung), to violently suppress opposition and protect Nazi meetings. Hitler’s rise, supported indirectly by Hindenburg, involved violence against Jews, destruction of property, and later, concentration camps under the SS.
Through fiery speeches promising a better future, Hitler’s support steadily grew. By July 1932, he had 37.3% of the vote; in November 1932, it dropped to 33.1%, and by March 1933, manipulated elections combined with intimidation from the SA delivered 43.9% of the vote—over 17 million Germans supported him.
The subsequent events, Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor without an absolute majority, and Hindenburg’s involvement are well-known. Quickly, all power concentrated in one person. Other parties were banned, laws targeting Jews were enacted, and Germany began massive militarization, preparing for war. Despite Allied knowledge of German violations of the Versailles Treaty, no decisive action was taken. Concentration camps expanded, targeting political opponents, Jews, Romani people, and other groups deemed undesirable.
Victims of Hitler’s regime are almost forgotten, except in state-initiated memorials. It is estimated that six million Jews, 500,000 Romani people, 3.3 million Soviet prisoners, and hundreds of thousands of others, including Serbs and Germans opposing Hitler, perished. German attempts to invade the Soviet Union resulted in millions of civilian and military deaths. Hitler ignored historical lessons, as Napoleon’s failed Russian campaign shows, yet pursued a similar eastern expansion.
By 1944, the SS numbered around 780,000, responsible for concentration camps and mass killings. Postwar trials, such as Nuremberg, prosecuted only a fraction of war criminals. Many escaped justice, aided by the Vatican or fleeing to South America, including infamous figures like Mengele and Eichmann.
In West Germany, former Nazis integrated into government, police, and military roles. Similar pro-Nazi tendencies persisted, and minor neo-Nazi parties emerged. The AfD, founded recently in eastern Germany, has inherited this tradition. In eastern Germany, the AfD enjoys its strongest support, echoing Hitler’s 1933 success in the region.
Economic crises, poor government policies, rising inflation, high costs for refugees, and public dissatisfaction have all contributed to the AfD’s growing support. Polls indicate that AfD now surpasses the CDU/CSU coalition in some areas, with 28% potential votes versus 25% for CDU/CSU.
The possibility of the AfD taking control remains small for now. However, after a recent “Founding Assembly of Young Politicians” within the AfD, where one young member, Alexander Eichwald, gave a speech imitating Hitler and received thunderous applause, concerns grow that history could repeat itself. The speech was seen by some observers, particularly leftists, as hinting at a new idol within the AfD—Hitler himself.
For the foreseeable future, the AfD is unlikely to reach a majority of 50%, and other parties currently refuse to form coalitions with them. Yet, if voter support shifts, history could repeat itself, as in 1933. Political analysts and ruling parties have yet to determine how to prevent AfD’s rise. With ongoing government spending, rising economic challenges, and unresolved social tensions, the risk of a new wave of neo-Nazism or fascism in Germany cannot be entirely dismissed.”
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Source: P. Rakočević / Sedma sila, Foto: Savezna arhiva Nemačke