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Two statues of Johann Wolfgang Goethe and Friedrich Schiller seen in Weimar
Image: Andreas Franke/picture alliance

Thuringia

Thuringia is a federal state in the central part of Germany with a population of 2 million. It is famous for its poets, winter sports, scientific research and sausages. It is also a stronghold of the far-right AfD party.

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

Björn Höcke, AfD leader in Thuringia, looking thoughtful with his hand under his chin

Is Germany's far-right populist AfD party spying for Russia?

Is Germany's far-right populist AfD party spying for Russia?

Lawmakers accuse the AfD party of gathering intelligence on Germany's critical infrastructure to share it with Russia.
PoliticsOctober 26, 2025
Thomas Mäuer from the German Bratwurst Museum stands in front of a bratwurst stand with a bratwurst in his hand.

Hot and juicy: Germany's classic street food, the bratwurst

Hot and juicy: Germany's classic street food, the bratwurst

What makes bratwurst so popular in Germany? And is it best with ketchup or mustard?
SocietyMarch 18, 202505:17 min
A German single parent with his son

What families expect of the next German government

What families expect of the next German government

Inflation and an economic slowdown are hitting Germans' daily lives. We spoke with two families about their experiences.
BusinessFebruary 19, 202505:20 min
A sign with a red circle and a line through the word AfD

CDU state premier: 'The AfD is really a threat to democracy'

CDU state premier: 'The AfD is really a threat to democracy'

Thuringia Premier Mario Voigt told DW how he has handled the popularity of the far-right AfD in his state.
PoliticsFebruary 10, 202508:44 min
Two male politicians from the AfD party walk with documents.

AfD's political rise sparks fears among immigrants

AfD's political rise sparks fears among immigrants

The rising popularity of Germany's anti-immigrant party AfD has sparked fears among foreigners living in the country.
SocietyOctober 4, 202403:12 min
Timo Chrupalla and Alice Weidel

Calls grow in Germany to ban far-right AfD

Calls grow in Germany to ban far-right AfD

The AfD has caused chaos in Thuringia's state parliament after election gains, sparking renewed debate over a party ban.
PoliticsOctober 1, 2024
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Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

Four men stand inside a factory in Thuringia

Immigrants in eastern Germany ask: Leave or stay?

The far-right AfD has aggressively campaigned against migrants in state elections in Thuringia, Saxony and Brandenburg.
SocietySeptember 21, 2024
A view of Erfurt's mosque with its minaret still covered in scaffolding

AfD to prevent Thuringia's first mosque?

Muslims in eastern Germany are anxious following AfD victories in state elections.
SocietySeptember 6, 202405:26 min
Hand holding a mobile phone on whose display a video of AFD politician Alice Weidel can be seen on the TikTok platform

TikTok likely helped far right in German elections: analysts

The far-right AfD was twice as effective at reaching first-time voters on the app than all other parties combined.
PoliticsSeptember 2, 2024
Sahra Wagenknecht giving a speech in June 2024

What is Germany's populist BSW party?

The brand new Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) is gaining traction. Many of its positions overlap with the far right.
PoliticsSeptember 2, 2024
AfD election campaign poster in Altenburg in Thuringia

Germany: Immigrants in east wary of rising far-right AfD

The far-right, anti-immigration AfD party is set for election victory in two eastern states. Most immigrants are worried
PoliticsAugust 28, 2024
A hamster peeks out of its hole in a farmer's field

Should bulldozers make way for hamsters?

Germany has strict laws when construction clashes with wildlife. But should we spend millions to protect a few animals?
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 1, 2024
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