That plays into it, but the general inequality, too. I grew up in west Germany and it’s the same there. Where a sense of ‘the system isn’t working’ and ‘helplessness’ are spreading. What’s the point in voting when all they care about is their own career and ego. No problem is alone responsible and the AfD is the result of many failings and short comings over years.
I grew up in Germany and we were taught to never say or think right leaning things because of our history. Social scrutiny was no joke, the first time we had a public viewing for football made a lot of people uncomfortable with all those Germany flags and national pride.
Over time this changed, the topics of the right are not scrutinised as much anymore, when a political party can say these things so can you. Especially if old parties (looking at you CDU) pick up the right wingers talking points.
Being patriotic became less weird too and we have a good doseage of misinformation further dividing the nation.
A friends mother now proudly votes AfD, 20 years ago she would have whooped our asses for having the parties opinions.
Feels less vindictive I guess