The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), a party with openly anti-democratic positions, has become the strongest force in nationwide polls, particularly in eastern Germany. Jana Hensel, author of “Es war einmal ein Land”, argues that although the AfD’s rise fits a broader European trend, it can be truly understood and defeated only by grasping the experience of East Germans and responding to their grievances. To mount a successful challenge, pro-democratic parties cannot carry on with business as usual.