IMPULS Julia Bläsius, Elisabeth Bollrich, Jonathan Overmeyer From Cutback to Backlash How can public services strengthen democracy? At a glance In this paper we examine the results of the study»An­tidemocratic Election Successes in Unequal Germany« which looks at the relations between regional public services and increasing dissatisfaction with democra­cy in Germany’s 400 districts. The results show that spatial disparities in local public services are reflected in the AfD’s 2025 election results at district level. Indi ­cators such as broadband coverage, child care and school education turn out to be particularly signifi­cant. Having said that, subjective evaluations of pub ­lic services sometimes deviate sharply from objectively measurable indicators. Nevertheless, the results pro ­vide important insights for a socially just structural policy, in particular supported by investments in tech­nical and social infrastructure. Introduction In the past ten years, as in many other European countries, there have been marked shifts in Germany’s political party system. This may be seen, for example, in the election suc­cesses of right-wing populist or extreme right parties in re­gional, national and European elections. In Germany this development is discernible particularly in the rise of the AfD(Alternative für Deutschland), which since its founding in 2013 has been able to establish itself as a permanent fix ­ture in the German party system and has become increas­ingly radicalised. 1 This paper summarises the findings of the study»Antidem­ocratic Election Successes in Unequal Germany«, which in­vestigates the extent to which there is a concrete connec­tion between regional election results and differences in public services. 2 Sweeping judgements are often made with regard to both the urban–rural divide in public services and differences between eastern and western Germany in terms of electoral behaviour. The object of this analysis is the re­1  In May 2025 the AfD was classified as»confirmed extreme right« by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. 2  By public services, we mean state provision of basic goods and services, such as education, health care, housing and a decent utility infrastructure, which are necessary for a dignified life, free personal development and participation. In Germany, this is based on the principle of the welfare state(as enshrined in the Basic Law, Art. 20(1) GG) and serves to foster social cohesion. From Cutback to Backlash 1