"Going Back to the East German Era!" Germany's "Perfumer" Ziegmond Could Deal a Severe Blow to Merz!
Once a marketer in the perfume business, he is now a rising star of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
According to Russian media outlet RT, he has campaigned under the slogan "Returning to the East German Era," attracting a large number of voters. The AfD is currently experiencing unprecedented electoral momentum and may achieve its best-ever election results—directly challenging the ruling party led by Merz.
Saxony-Anhalt was part of the former East Germany.
After German reunification, this region has struggled with stagnant development: low wages, mass emigration, widespread public frustration toward Berlin’s central government, and a nostalgic yearning for the old East German era.
Ziegmond excels at tapping into ordinary people’s discontent and is highly skilled in leveraging short-form videos online, amassing millions of followers.
He avoids openly promoting extremist views. Instead, he presents himself through a down-to-earth persona, emphasizing anti-immigration stances and criticizing politicians in the capital for being disconnected from everyday life—using nostalgia for East Germans’ past to win support.
Current polling data is striking: AfD support hovers just above 40%, far outpacing Merz’s party.
If election results mirror these polls, it would mark the first time since World War II that a far-right party in Germany could potentially gain control of a state.
Merz has personally traveled to eastern Germany to campaign, warning that an AfD takeover would scare off investments and damage the local economy.
But locals aren’t buying it—they see these high-profile figures from Berlin as completely out of touch with the real hardships faced by ordinary people in the East.
Still, for the AfD to truly take power, one major hurdle remains.
All mainstream parties in Germany refuse to cooperate with a party officially labeled far-right by authorities.
Even if the AfD wins the most votes, without coalition partners from other parties, it cannot form a state government.
Yet even without securing governance, Ziegmond has already won.
He has transformed the frustrations of Eastern Germans into electoral strength, delivered a serious blow to Merz’s camp, and laid the groundwork for the AfD’s nationwide expansion.
The impact of this regional election extends beyond just one state.
If the far-right gains a firm foothold in the East, Germany’s national immigration policies, foreign relations, and even the dynamics within the European Union could undergo significant changes.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1875447328661516/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.