The growing income and social inequalities are paving the way for the far right

 

7 September 2026, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The election result in the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt marks a dark chapter in Germany’s modern history. The electoral surge of the neo-Nazi AfD party is of particular significance in a country that experienced the devastation caused by the rise of Nazism.

The rise of the far right is not some momentary outburst but the result of the enormous dead-ends created by the neoliberal policies of the Right – policies that have exacerbated income and social inequalities. At a time when German industry is shifting towards military production, with further increases in military spending, rising living costs, staff shortages in the health service, difficulties in people’s access to essential services and cuts in state pension contributions are marginalising large sections of the working people and society.

The far right capitalises on this social insecurity, using intolerance, racism and bigotry to fabricate enemies of the nation and the race in order to gain social support. In reality, of course, the far right leaves the powerful economic interests that create and perpetuate these huge inequalities unscathed.

Unfortunately, the Right, which sheds hypocritical tears over the rise of the far right, has no qualms about collaborating with it for the sake of power. The answer does not lie in a return to their own policies, which give rise to and fuel the far right, but in the struggle against neoliberal, racist and xenophobic policies.