Reflections on Change: Anna Wenske’s Discontent and Political Leanings in Post-Reunification Germany

Anna Wenske’s Reflections on Change and Discontent

Anna Wenske, a 69-year-old woman, spent decades as a dedicated employee at East Germany’s national theater, a place she still calls home. Reflecting on her experiences, she lamented, “After the reunification, everything went kaput.” The transition was anything but smooth; she lost her job and her savings, and it took her years of juggling part-time work to find a semblance of stability.

Today, Anna feels a deep resentment towards what she perceives as an easier path granted to refugees, while many Germans struggle to make ends meet. “Too many people exist on this planet, and everyone wants to come to us,” she expressed in the sun-drenched streets of Weimar. “Yet we keep welcoming them, while we have nothing left for ourselves.” Her views have become increasingly critical, especially regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. “President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia lied when he said he would not invade, but I don’t trust the United States any more than Russia,” she added, highlighting her skepticism towards global powers.

As her state of Thuringia approaches elections this Sunday, Anna is contemplating her vote. She is leaning towards the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, known for its radical right, ethnonationalist sentiments. This party often employs rhetoric reminiscent of Nazi-era language and has been classified as right-wing extremist by domestic intelligence services. Yet, Anna finds herself intrigued by a newer political force, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), named after its founder, a former Communist leader. Although the BSW rejects Nazism and upholds the Constitution, it shares several viewpoints with the AfD. “When I listen to Sahra, somehow she touches me,” Ms. Wenske remarked, revealing her emotional connection to the party’s messages.

Germany is currently confronted with three pivotal state elections—Saxony will also cast votes on Sunday, while Brandenburg is set to follow on September 22. These elections are particularly significant in the former East Germany, where rising grievances are pushing many voters toward the political extremes, whether on the left or the right. The anticipated outcomes are already stirring considerable concern in Berlin about the future of German democracy and the ongoing struggle to bridge the divide between the East and West, even 33 years after reunification.

In a broader context, German officials, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, have been actively addressing rising tensions, as exemplified by their recent memorial for victims of a tragic knife attack in the western city of Solingen.