The article details the surging support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the Ruhr region of Germany, a former industrial center. The AfD’s significant gains are attributed to widespread discontent with the established political parties and their policies that have led to social and economic decline in the region over decades. Specifically, the article highlights the AfD’s success in capitalizing on the anger and frustration of the population, who feel abandoned and overlooked by the mainstream political establishment. The historical dominance of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in the Ruhr is eroding, as the AfD presents itself as an alternative for those disillusioned with traditional politics. The article suggests this shift reflects a deeper crisis within German society, fueled by austerity measures, deindustrialization, and a perceived lack of representation for working-class interests.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/09/17/jcsz-s17.html