麻豆社

For the first time since World War Two, a far-right party has made a significant win in Germany 鈥� taking almost 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has been labelled as 鈥渞ight-wing extremist鈥� by domestic intelligence, is leading the national polls.

Among its pledges at a state level are to defund 鈥渁nti-German" art and teach children less about Hitler, as part of a 鈥減atriotism鈥� agenda. This idea challenges the deeply held and decades-long German memory culture that insists people must never forget the Nazis鈥� crimes. The AfD describes German memory culture in its manifesto as a "guilt complex".

麻豆社 Berlin correspondent Jessica Parker talks us through the complexities of remembering Germany鈥檚 past, and the controversial ways in which the AfD wants to shape its future.

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Photo: Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and parliamentary group co-chairwoman Alice Weidel looks on during a press conference in Berlin, Germany, 07 September 2026. EPA/Shutterstock.