# Political psychology: Why extremist parties are thriving and what democratic politicians can do

https://mins.news/en/item/72444

- DW, 2026-09-24 14:00 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.dw.com/en/political-psychology-why-extremist-parties-are-thriving-and-what-democratic-politicians-can-do-against-it/a-79410960?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf

> Recent state elections show Germany’s political extremes gaining strength. The far-right AfD won major victories in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, while the CDU suffered sharp losses; Berlin’s election was won by the socialist Left Party. Political psychologists point to growing affective and ideological polarization behind the shift.

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