Germany’s far-right and hard-left politics boomerang back to the horseshoe theory
The 'horseshoe theory' is being applied to German politics as the hard-left BSW party considers cooperating with the far-right AfD in regional parliaments. This potential alliance threatens to break the long-standing political 'firewall' against the far-right.
Why it matters
The potential realignment of political extremes in Germany could significantly destabilize the traditional governing consensus and shift the national political landscape.
Horseshoes may bring luck in life, but rarely in politics. At least not in 1930s Germany , where the “horseshoe theory” was coined to explain how extreme right- and left-wingers often have more in common with each other than with the political centre.
The article uses analytical political theory to explain complex coalition dynamics, maintaining a balanced perspective on the risks involved.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in