The island of Usedom in the far northeast of Germany has a dark National Socialist past. It was here that V2 rockets were developed and launched towards Great Britain during World War II. Today, this island is known on the political map of Germany as a stronghold of right-wing populists.
>>> AfD accuses Lidl of ‘anti-Christianity, capitulation to Islamism’
In the town of Peenemuende, where a factory and laboratory existed before and during World War II under the watchful eye of the later father of the American space program Wernher von Braun, the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) received 47 percent of the votes in local elections last September.
Additionally, 5.6 percent of residents voted for the extreme National Democratic Party of Germany (NPD). In the upcoming federal elections on September 24, right-wing populists in the region can again expect good results. Usedom, once part of the GDR, fits well into the trend where citizens in the eastern part of the country increasingly choose parties with far-right values.
The AfD enjoys much greater popularity in the east of the country than in the west. In the east, there is also a much greater aversion to refugees, as well as to foreigners in general, even though fewer of them live there than in the west of the country. Furthermore, Usedom, an island of sandy beaches and forest cycling paths, relies on tourism. Many come here specifically to visit the technical museum in Peenemuende, which focuses on the dark, National Socialist history of this part of Germany.
Place of myths and legends
Frank Neumann (30), who says he votes for the AfD out of a sense of national pride, explains that living in the shadow of the complex in Peenemuende evokes mixed feelings in him.
“As a child, I thought it was fascinating; it was a large playground with mysterious ruins in the forest,” he said.
“Later, I realized that the technological achievements here were sensational, but also linked to war destruction. I’m not really proud of that. Our pride is more general; everyone should be proud of their country,” he explained.
It is estimated that the rockets fired from Usedom killed over 15,000 people. The number of forced laborers who died while constructing the vast underground facilities where the rockets were produced is unknown. The V1 and V2 rockets were the world’s first guided long-range missiles (“V” stands for Vergeltungswaffe – vengeance weapon) and spread terror in British, French, and Belgian cities.
Museum curator Thomas Koehler says that Peenemuende is a place of “myths and legends” about the most famous and most shameful chapters of German history.
>>> Minister of Justice: AfD has launched a frontal attack on the fundamental values of our constitution
“We present history as it was. We do not hide negative aspects, unfortunately for many technological enthusiasts,” he said.
“Others, however, say that we glorify Nazi engineers. Since both sides are dissatisfied, I think we have achieved a good balance,” Koehler emphasizes.
Koehler believes that his museum has a clear responsibility given the heavy historical burden it carries. “We advocate for peaceful coexistence, tolerance, and understanding among nations.”
Despite this, the majority there vote for parties that more or less openly flirt with the Nazi past.
Against Merkel on her turf
The public service Deutschlandfunk analyzed the reasons for such political orientation among the residents of Usedom and concluded that they are no different from the rest of the AfD voters: a mix of general dissatisfaction with the social policies of the authorities in Berlin and a much more pronounced motivation against Angela Merkel’s refugee policy, on which the AfD largely builds its program.
The federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is considered one of the least developed parts of the country with the highest unemployment rate.
“Social frustrations are high; many families have left here. People have always voted for different parties out of protest: NPD, Pirates, and now AfD. Perhaps a new party will emerge in the next elections,” says an AfD voter to Deutschlandfunk.
The electoral district of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Ruegen-Greifswald, is practically neighboring Usedom. There, Merkel won over 50 percent of the votes in the last elections. The AfD fiercely announces that it will defeat her in her electoral district. And no means are spared.
At the beginning of September, Chancellor Merkel held a campaign rally in Ruegen-Greifswald. Among the audience were several AfD supporters who, as is often the case when Merkel appears in one of the East German cities, disrupted the rally with banners, whistles, and loud shouts.
>>> AfD gifts young women ‘animal pepper spray’
One banner read: “We have children, you do not,” alluding to the fears of AfD supporters for the future of Germany, which, according to AfD advocates, Angela Merkel has jeopardized with her liberal refugee policy.
Angela Merkel, who indeed has no children of her own, reacted cautiously, in her style, telling the banner holder that she is willing to discuss family policy with him.
According to many opinion polls, the AfD could become the third strongest political party in the country in the elections on September 24. Analysts justify this by the fact that many voters, about one-third, have not yet decided who they will vote for, and among those voters, many are suspected to lean towards the AfD but do not dare to say so in polls.
Something similar happened last year in the presidential elections in the USA.
