# German political polarization and AfD electoral rise > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/german-political-polarization-and-afd-electoral-rise > Updated: 2026-09-26T19:19:34.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2. Following a significant political shift in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6, 2026, where the AfD reached 43.8 percent of the vote, discussions have emerged regarding rising social polarization in Germany. Brandenburg Health Minister René Wilke has advocated for a ‘culture of encounter’ and ‘confrontation therapy’ through direct citizen dialogue to dismantle stereotypes and de-escalate tensions fueled by migration and Russia-related anxieties. In response to these electoral shifts, theologian Reiner Anselm has urged German churches to mediate between conflicting political camps. Anselm suggests that churches must investigate the underlying motives of AfD voters, warning that current approaches may be perceived as dismissive of the emotional and cultural anxieties regarding social change. The discourse emphasizes that addressing right-wing radicalization requires looking beyond economic inequality to include issues of human dignity and a sense of belonging. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-26: Theologian urges German churches to mediate political polarization Theologian Reiner Anselm urges German churches to mediate political divides and address the underlying motives of AfD voters rather than solely focusing on societal modernization. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/theologian-urges-german-churches-to-mediate-political-polarization ### 2026-09-13: René Wilke advocates for citizen dialogue to combat polarization Brandenburg Minister René Wilke promotes direct citizen dialogue as ‘confrontation therapy’ to counter rising polarization following the AfD's significant electoral gains in Saxony-Anhalt. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ren-wilke-advocates-for-citizen-dialogue-to-combat-polarization --- Cite as: German political polarization and AfD electoral rise. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/german-political-polarization-and-afd-electoral-rise