In this episode of The International Risk Podcast, Dominic Bowen speaks with Sophie Schmalenberger about the AfD’s historic result in the Saxony-Anhalt state election and what it means for Germany’s political future.
The discussion examines what is driving the party’s rise, particularly in eastern Germany, and whether Germany’s postwar “firewall” against the far right can still hold. It also explores how the AfD uses history and emotion to build support, and what a stronger AfD could mean for Germany’s role in the EU.
The conversation explores: -What the AfD is, where it came from, and what it stands for -What the Saxony-Anhalt result means, and how Germany got here -How memory and emotion have shaped the AfD’s appeal -Whether the “firewall” against cooperating with the far right is still working
Dr. Sophie Schmalenberger is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Duisburg-Essen. Her research focuses on the German New Right, particularly the communication and mobilization strategies of the AfD, and how the party uses memory politics and emotion to build support. She holds a PhD from Aarhus University, where her dissertation examined how the AfD constructs identity and memory.
The International Risk Podcast brings together global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers to explore the forces transforming our world — from geopolitical instability and organised crime to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare.
Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and one of Europe’s leading experts on international risk and crisis management. He advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across Europe on how to prepare for uncertainty, navigate crises, and build strategic resilience in an increasingly volatile world.
Further reading: Dr. Sophie Schmalenberger’s open access book chapter, which looks at the far right’s strategic reinterpretation of the German past: https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783111588551-022/html
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