June 8, 2023 - 7:00am
During a press conference in March, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised that the green transition will lead to growth rates last seen during the economic miracle of the 1950s. During that decade, the West German economy grew by 8% per annum, outperforming all of Europe and most of the world. As we now know, at the time of Scholz’s speech the economy was already in recession, and based on current forecasts Germany could well be the only G7 nation with a contracting economy this year.
This downturn is beginning to leave an impact on national voting intentions, with the Right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) neck and neck with the Social Democratic Party (SPD). In some polls, the AfD has even overtaken Scholz’s party. All the while, the German Greens continue to fall behind, having dropped to 14% after a high point of 23% in August 2022.
German analysts seem baffled by the AfD’s sudden popularity, and economists warn that this appetite for “far-Right” politics could harm the country’s competitiveness. What few wish to admit, however, is that many Germans are more worried about what the current government is already doing to the economy. Consequently, it should be expected that many start taking Alternative for Germany’s name very literally. Electricity and energy costs remain high — with generating costs of 10 cents per kW/h, compared to three cents per kW/h in the US and four cents per kW/h in China.
Predictably, energy-intensive industries are now considering offshoring their production. What’s more, Roland Farnung, the former CEO of energy giant RWE, expects prices to reach 15 cents by 2030, making Germany even less competitive. Yet, despite this outlook, both the German government and the EU are planning to make heat pumps mandatory, without knowing where the electricity will come from. As the investor and analyst Alexander Stahel has pointed out, Germany’s grid has been systematically starved of excess electricity, and it is likely that the once major electricity exporter will become a net importer.
Consequently, the coalition government has now gone back on its claims that the focus on renewables will lead to cheaper energy and an abundance of electricity at low prices. In fact, economy minister Robert Habeck wants to reduce German energy consumption by 25% before 2030 — something that cannot be achieved without reductions in living standards.
In light of these developments, it should be no surprise that voters are increasingly drawn to the AfD’s offer. Its politicians can correctly point out that they supported both nuclear energy and fracking in Germany when no other party was even willing to discuss these issues. For all its ideological zeal over migration, the AfD has managed to remain pragmatic about energy. This quality has come into clearer focus following the European energy crisis which began last year.
Ironically, it would be easy to stop the rise of the German Right if the established parties were able to just admit that they got energy and inflation wrong, and vowed to change course. Unless they do that, the AfD and similar parties will continue to win over voters, and it is unlikely that we have seen their peak yet.
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SubscribeGermany, and the West more generally, need a strong popular anti-woke movement which is resistant the accusation of ‘far right’. Until that happens the eco-loons will continue to impoverish us while burnishing their precious virtue.
My wife’s German family are fairly typical – they are reluctant to vote for any party which has a ‘far right’ taint, they believe the EU has been very good for Europe and they are unaware of the true political roots of the Green movement.
Excellent points. With reference to Germany in particular, the stigma associated with even the most modest, pragmatic and defensive nationalism has reached neurotic proportions, such that people have been lured into believing that goodness can only be found alongside self-destruction. Hence the flourishing of all the usual symptoms of neurosis, which in public terms means civilizational decline: hostility to fact, flinching from truth, emotional instability, extreme asceticism, gnostic beliefs and – as the culminating obscenity – mutilation of the body in the name of “health”. As ever, it is the highest echelons of society which have been most deeply immersed in this poison, which is why we need something akin to an electoral revolt in order to be rid of them; in short, a second 1989. For the Bolshevism which lies at the root of all this was always two pronged in its approach – revolution by the usual means of slaughter at one end of Europe; and revolution by lies and stealth and infiltration at the other. The first, more obvious and perhaps less deadly, has been dealt with. High time we pulled down its evil twin.
I hear you. My German wife cannot bring herself to support the AfD even though she knows how stupid the Ampel is. She loves the idea of the EU even though she finds their rules senseless.
This is where Hitler and the Nazis complete their final destruction of Europe. Everyone is so hellbent on moving away from the Nazis that they have gone full circle and become the worst aspect of them. A hyper destructive mindless bureaucracy
The whole point of the “far right” label is because they hope exactly that – that people will be scared to listen, engage or vote.
Has any party in the West recently ever self-described as “far right”?
Sooner or later the German people will look again at the history of WWs 1 and 2 and might come to some unacceptable conclusions about the version of those conflicts written by the victors and little told story of what was done to the German people in its aftermath.
Yes. It all starts with the language. Depending on the subject matter, critics are either transphobes, racists, deniers. If nothing else fits at the time, just call them far right.
It’s a phrase repeated by journalists too lazy or stupid to bother about history.
Sooner or later the German people will look again at the history of WWs 1 and 2 and might come to some unacceptable conclusions about the version of those conflicts written by the victors and little told story of what was done to the German people in its aftermath.
Yes. It all starts with the language. Depending on the subject matter, critics are either transphobes, racists, deniers. If nothing else fits at the time, just call them far right.
It’s a phrase repeated by journalists too lazy or stupid to bother about history.
Excellent points. With reference to Germany in particular, the stigma associated with even the most modest, pragmatic and defensive nationalism has reached neurotic proportions, such that people have been lured into believing that goodness can only be found alongside self-destruction. Hence the flourishing of all the usual symptoms of neurosis, which in public terms means civilizational decline: hostility to fact, flinching from truth, emotional instability, extreme asceticism, gnostic beliefs and – as the culminating obscenity – mutilation of the body in the name of “health”. As ever, it is the highest echelons of society which have been most deeply immersed in this poison, which is why we need something akin to an electoral revolt in order to be rid of them; in short, a second 1989. For the Bolshevism which lies at the root of all this was always two pronged in its approach – revolution by the usual means of slaughter at one end of Europe; and revolution by lies and stealth and infiltration at the other. The first, more obvious and perhaps less deadly, has been dealt with. High time we pulled down its evil twin.
I hear you. My German wife cannot bring herself to support the AfD even though she knows how stupid the Ampel is. She loves the idea of the EU even though she finds their rules senseless.
This is where Hitler and the Nazis complete their final destruction of Europe. Everyone is so hellbent on moving away from the Nazis that they have gone full circle and become the worst aspect of them. A hyper destructive mindless bureaucracy
The whole point of the “far right” label is because they hope exactly that – that people will be scared to listen, engage or vote.
Has any party in the West recently ever self-described as “far right”?
Germany, and the West more generally, need a strong popular anti-woke movement which is resistant the accusation of ‘far right’. Until that happens the eco-loons will continue to impoverish us while burnishing their precious virtue.
My wife’s German family are fairly typical – they are reluctant to vote for any party which has a ‘far right’ taint, they believe the EU has been very good for Europe and they are unaware of the true political roots of the Green movement.
I watch what is happening in Germany with some bemusement. Their industry appears to be on suicide watch – an engineering-based economy cannot be competitive on current energy costs. Their demographic outlook is also disproportinately poor with cost implications. Economically Germany is the EU backbone. If she goes down, then the ramifications are much wider than national.
The rise of the AfD can be no surprise in a country which turned off its 3 remaining nuclear plants 2 months ago. The public appear to have joined the Mittelstand in screaming at their politicians to course correct.
I watch what is happening in Germany with some bemusement. Their industry appears to be on suicide watch – an engineering-based economy cannot be competitive on current energy costs. Their demographic outlook is also disproportinately poor with cost implications. Economically Germany is the EU backbone. If she goes down, then the ramifications are much wider than national.
The rise of the AfD can be no surprise in a country which turned off its 3 remaining nuclear plants 2 months ago. The public appear to have joined the Mittelstand in screaming at their politicians to course correct.
Funnily enough I saw my first “No to the petrol and diesel ban 2030” bumper sticker yesterday. In Winchester of all places.
Funnily enough I saw my first “No to the petrol and diesel ban 2030” bumper sticker yesterday. In Winchester of all places.
That’s democracy for you. Sometimes people vote for the unfashionable parties because the fashionable ones have made a mess of things.
The chances of the established parties being able to admit that they got energy and inflation wrong are somewhere between slim and fat. There are too many supporters invested in the focus on renewables to backtrack.
That’s democracy for you. Sometimes people vote for the unfashionable parties because the fashionable ones have made a mess of things.
The chances of the established parties being able to admit that they got energy and inflation wrong are somewhere between slim and fat. There are too many supporters invested in the focus on renewables to backtrack.
Well done AfD- We need a vociferous, brave, anti net zero movement that will also rid us of insiduous Kafkaesque ‘ hate crime’ stand up for us being a freedom of speech based democracy, and stop bowing to the ” racist lbgtq” totalitarians…
Queerness has become despotic, crushing dissent under its iron heel.
Queerness has become despotic, crushing dissent under its iron heel.
Well done AfD- We need a vociferous, brave, anti net zero movement that will also rid us of insiduous Kafkaesque ‘ hate crime’ stand up for us being a freedom of speech based democracy, and stop bowing to the ” racist lbgtq” totalitarians…
I think the phrase ‘Alternative’ is very apt in the AFD party name because they really are the only plausible alternative party. The rest of the parties, even Die Linke to an increasing degree, largely offer a zombie neoliberalism-green hybrid of various hues.
The only sensible choice, TINA, take back control
The only sensible choice, TINA, take back control
I think the phrase ‘Alternative’ is very apt in the AFD party name because they really are the only plausible alternative party. The rest of the parties, even Die Linke to an increasing degree, largely offer a zombie neoliberalism-green hybrid of various hues.
Here in the UK there is no party to vote for that isn’t fully committed to ‘Net Zero’, with all the crippling consequences that entails.
I believe the first party to break cover, and say “well actually, we need to have an honest discussion about how much we’re prepared to trash our economy in pursuit of CO2 emissions reduction” might do rather well.
Britain is in a very scary place right now. You have two parties with basically the same ideology. Canada is not much better. We basically have three parties with the same ideology. The Conservatives may be turning a corner, but I’m not holding my breath.
The collapsing support for mainstream media gives me hope as they are the main reason these delusional policies have been able to be pursued in the first place.
The collapsing support for mainstream media gives me hope as they are the main reason these delusional policies have been able to be pursued in the first place.
Britain is in a very scary place right now. You have two parties with basically the same ideology. Canada is not much better. We basically have three parties with the same ideology. The Conservatives may be turning a corner, but I’m not holding my breath.
Here in the UK there is no party to vote for that isn’t fully committed to ‘Net Zero’, with all the crippling consequences that entails.
I believe the first party to break cover, and say “well actually, we need to have an honest discussion about how much we’re prepared to trash our economy in pursuit of CO2 emissions reduction” might do rather well.
‘Objecting to an insane energy policy is “Far-right?
Wait ’till you meet the real thing, darling..
‘Objecting to an insane energy policy is “Far-right?
Wait ’till you meet the real thing, darling..
Does “ideological zeal over migration” just mean the idea that random people from around the world shouldn’t be allowed to move to a country without first providing some evidence that they’ll make a positive contribution to the country?
If so, I expect most normal people feel this.
A while back, I felt as if white people were being replaced. I couldn’t put it into words back then. It wasn’t just in the media and film, but even at work. They made conscious decisions to bring in more non-white people.
In a moment of frustration I googled that I felt that I was being replaced. The results were shockingly eye opening. It was just links to page after page of “The great replacement theory is racist, it’s not true”
This was when I knew that it totally was true. It was just like a cop asking bystanders to move on, there is nothing to see here; and behind him a fireworks factory is burning down and the fireworks are going off everywhere.
There are a number of times where I feel the brainwashing kick in. The logic says that it is a form of genocide but something inside of me kicks into gear and pushes me away from saying it.
A while back, I felt as if white people were being replaced. I couldn’t put it into words back then. It wasn’t just in the media and film, but even at work. They made conscious decisions to bring in more non-white people.
In a moment of frustration I googled that I felt that I was being replaced. The results were shockingly eye opening. It was just links to page after page of “The great replacement theory is racist, it’s not true”
This was when I knew that it totally was true. It was just like a cop asking bystanders to move on, there is nothing to see here; and behind him a fireworks factory is burning down and the fireworks are going off everywhere.
There are a number of times where I feel the brainwashing kick in. The logic says that it is a form of genocide but something inside of me kicks into gear and pushes me away from saying it.
Does “ideological zeal over migration” just mean the idea that random people from around the world shouldn’t be allowed to move to a country without first providing some evidence that they’ll make a positive contribution to the country?
If so, I expect most normal people feel this.
Excellent essay, if only to point out the delusions of the German elite, and to give me a good chuckle for my morning coffee..
The author opened with this zinger; “During a press conference in March, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised that the green transition will lead to growth rates last seen during the economic miracle of the 1950s.”
But this howler was absolutely the best; “German analysts seem baffled by the AfD’s sudden popularity, and economists warn that this appetite for “far-Right” politics could harm the country’s competitiveness.”
My prediction is that when the energy policies have actually trashed the German economy, they will blame the popularity of the AfD for the lack of competitiveness.
My prediction is that when the energy policies have actually trashed the German economy, they will blame the popularity of the AfD for the lack of competitiveness.
Excellent essay, if only to point out the delusions of the German elite, and to give me a good chuckle for my morning coffee..
The author opened with this zinger; “During a press conference in March, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised that the green transition will lead to growth rates last seen during the economic miracle of the 1950s.”
But this howler was absolutely the best; “German analysts seem baffled by the AfD’s sudden popularity, and economists warn that this appetite for “far-Right” politics could harm the country’s competitiveness.”
Whilst feigning concern for the environment, the German government uses “labour shortages” to justify massive immigration. Nearly all immigrants come from countries in which the per capita carbon footprint is far lower than Germany’s, but once in Germany, their carbon footprint will increase to German levels. Meanwhile, the Germans continue to burn brown coal to generate enough electicity for their labour-starved industry. Their solution to this probem: heat pumps.
Whilst feigning concern for the environment, the German government uses “labour shortages” to justify massive immigration. Nearly all immigrants come from countries in which the per capita carbon footprint is far lower than Germany’s, but once in Germany, their carbon footprint will increase to German levels. Meanwhile, the Germans continue to burn brown coal to generate enough electicity for their labour-starved industry. Their solution to this probem: heat pumps.
Its hard to say which is worse, our leaders or we the voters who elected them. Or the media: they certainly played their part. It makes Democracy seem a bad system. Dio Cassius supported rule by an Emperor rather than a Senate, saying ‘it’s easier to find one good man than a hundred’.
Its hard to say which is worse, our leaders or we the voters who elected them. Or the media: they certainly played their part. It makes Democracy seem a bad system. Dio Cassius supported rule by an Emperor rather than a Senate, saying ‘it’s easier to find one good man than a hundred’.
I am finally able to post comments again after about a week of being blocked by reCaptcha which seems to have classified me as a webbot. Has anybody else been having trouble with this reCaptcha security system?
Yes, but I discovered a little trick: copy your original post, log out, log back in, and re-post.
Did not seem to work for me, but then it is only a problem with some articles
Did not seem to work for me, but then it is only a problem with some articles
I couldn’t post a comment for 2 days. Don’t know why…
Yes, but I discovered a little trick: copy your original post, log out, log back in, and re-post.
I couldn’t post a comment for 2 days. Don’t know why…
I am finally able to post comments again after about a week of being blocked by reCaptcha which seems to have classified me as a webbot. Has anybody else been having trouble with this reCaptcha security system?
The green frenzy is waning while the climate meanwhile goes through its natural cycles. Buy warmer clothing for the colder winters on tap. Lie in bed with all your clothes on when the really bad weather comes.
The green frenzy is waning while the climate meanwhile goes through its natural cycles. Buy warmer clothing for the colder winters on tap. Lie in bed with all your clothes on when the really bad weather comes.
The “established parties” will never admit they got anything wrong, from immigration to energy. To feed their addiction to Progressive feel-nice politics they are perfectly fine with people burning their furniture to stay warm and eating household vermin to stave off starvation.
The “established parties” will never admit they got anything wrong, from immigration to energy. To feed their addiction to Progressive feel-nice politics they are perfectly fine with people burning their furniture to stay warm and eating household vermin to stave off starvation.
This is not just a German problem. All over the world political parties. Are insisting that renewable energy is the way forward. The don’t mention the freezing and starving in the dark, part of the same future. Advisors with Science, Engineering and Economics qualifications, don’t get a look in. It is all about political feel good.
This is not just a German problem. All over the world political parties. Are insisting that renewable energy is the way forward. The don’t mention the freezing and starving in the dark, part of the same future. Advisors with Science, Engineering and Economics qualifications, don’t get a look in. It is all about political feel good.
Germany is de-industrializing, its govt said so, you might as well just accept it. Even if or when the AfD gets power they’ll never get cheap energy from Russia again.
Just build nukes.
Just build nukes.
Germany is de-industrializing, its govt said so, you might as well just accept it. Even if or when the AfD gets power they’ll never get cheap energy from Russia again.