A research investigates the impact of right-wing extremist attacks on citizens’ political preferences towards radical right parties, specifically focusing on the Alternative for Germany (AfD) between 2013 and 2019.
Utilizing a time-series study and a quasi-experimental research design, the study examines how a right-wing terrorist attack influences citizens’ attitudes toward immigrants.
The results show that right-wing extremist attacks boost AfD and core position support, particularly among former mainstream right voters. These findings help explain radical right party support and political violence discourse.

Image courtesy of interviewee. November 24, 2023