The cooperation between the German newspaper Tagesspiegel and SOSEC has resulted in two new analyses of the upcoming state elections in Brandenburg. After the strong performance of the AfD in the elections in Thuringia and Saxony, it also appears to be on the verge of a major electoral success in Brandenburg. However, the situation in Brandenburg is very special, not least because of the ambivalent relationship with the federal capital Berlin.
The analyses paint a differentiated picture of the situation in Brandenburg, which is distinct from the other two federal states. The anlyses reveal further decisive differences in the realities of people’s lives within the federal state. On the one hand, the specific and regionally divergent socio-economic situation is outlined. On the other hand, the ambivalent influence of Berlin on people’s self-image and political opinion-forming is also considered. For example, the realities of life and political attitudes in closer to Berlin differ from those of people who live further away from the federal capital.
The articles thus contribute to a better understanding of the motivations that lead to political attitudes and voting decisions. At the same time, they offer a differentiated view that does not lapse into stereotypical depictions of East Germany.