German town narrowly escapes neo-Nazi party leadership.

A recent election outcome has underscored a shift in German attitudes towards far-right politics, where once unthinkable votes are now being cast with increasing frequency.

In Germany, it's been a remarkable eighty years since World War II that no neo-Nazi party member has held the mayoral position in any town, reflecting the country's deliberate move away from its troubled past.

In an eastern German town on Sunday, locals nearly shattered the prevailing attitude of their community.

In Aue-Bad Schlema's mayoral election, the runner-up candidate is affiliated with a far-right party identified as extremist by Germany's domestic intelligence agency. This group poses a threat to the country's Constitution, according to official assessments. The candidate, Stefan Hartung, disputes any neo-Nazi affiliations, yet he remains a member of an organization deemed "similar in nature to National Socialism" by Germany's highest court.

The small town's population of 19,000 was abuzz with concern as Mr. Hartung advanced to the final round of voting in May, sparking national unease.

Sunday's preliminary results revealed a surprising outcome: 47 percent of voters supported him, but it wasn't enough to secure victory, as his opponent garnered 53 percent of the vote. This unexpected result marks a shift in German society, where voting for far-right parties is no longer viewed with the same stigma as in the past, particularly given the country's recent history. The Alternative for Germany party continues to dominate national polls and is poised to win two state elections in the fall.

Benjamin Höhne, a local expert on the far right, comments that this development marks a significant departure from the past, echoing a momentous shift comparable to Germany's founding year of 1949.

National Socialism's deterrent effect appears to have lost its impact, at least in specific demographic groups according to Mr. Höhne's assessment.

Representing the Free Saxons, Mr Hartung advocates for Saxony's separation from Germany to facilitate migrant deportation. The German domestic intelligence agency notes that this party is predominantly led by individuals deeply entrenched in the far-right extremist movement.

For several years, Mr Hartung held a council position within the National Democratic Party, now rebranded as the Homeland. This neo-Nazi organization has been identified by Germany's domestic intelligence agency as having an antisemitic legacy that dates back to its inception. The AfD, itself flagged as a suspected extremist group by German authorities, bars individuals from joining who are also members of the Homeland.

Mr. Hartung clarified his stance in an interview, stating he was still affiliated with the Homeland while rejecting labels of neo-Nazism and extremism, attributing such classifications to political motivations rather than personal ideology or actions.

Residents express confidence in his abilities, convinced that he possesses the necessary expertise to lead effectively.

German politics have long been wary of N.P.D. involvement, despite past electoral successes in statehouses. The German Constitutional Court's 2017 ruling on an N.P.D. ban petition deemed the party too insignificant to pose a threat to democracy, even if it attempted to do so. In 2019, a brief controversy erupted when an N.P.D. member was unexpectedly appointed as leader of a small village, only for the decision to be swiftly rescinded amidst widespread public disapproval.

In Aue-Bad Schlema, Mr. Hartung's bid for power was fueled by concerns over an aging demographic and infrastructure, as well as a significant influx of newcomers, largely stemming from Angela Merkel's decision to welcome hundreds of thousands of refugees from Afghanistan and Syria around a decade ago. Official records show that immigrants now comprise approximately 8.5 percent of the town's population, more than doubling the roughly 1 percent figure recorded two decades prior.

The perception persists that eastern Germany's residents have been overlooked by national leaders since reunification, a sentiment Mr. Hartung has skillfully exploited in his campaign.

Resident Luise Weidauer expressed concerns about immigration, yet hesitated to reveal whether she voted for Mr. Hartung. The lack of being heard by authorities has led to radicalization in the community, according to Ms. Weidauer, who associated Nazism with the color brown and lamented that people's problems are often met with insufficient empathy.

In 2013, Mr. Hartung's involvement in organizing torch marches against an asylum seeker facility catapulted him into local notoriety and established his reputation as a prominent figure in the region.

Jürgen Freitag, a seasoned journalist with the Freie Presse, observed that one candidate stood out from the rest in terms of recognition and campaign effort.

Marcus Hoffmann, the center-right Christian Democratic Union's candidate, faced challenges from both his opponent and his own party leader, Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Unpopularity had been building for Merz since last year, when his party's economic promises went unfulfilled, contributing to a decline in public trust.

Hartung's social media presence showcased his dual approach, oscillating between technical solutions for urban improvement and provocative posts, such as one highlighting a migrant altercation at a local charity event.

Immigration issues are being hotly debated in the town, providing insight into how such contentious matters unfold at a grassroots level. The central square, often perceived as charming by outsiders, boasts an old post office, a diner from the 1960s with its iconic neon sign, and a kebab shop, which some residents see as a hub for young immigrants to congregate and engage in problematic behavior.

The perception that Tony Neuss secured just 6 percent in the initial mayoral election round as the sole left-leaning candidate was misguided, according to Neuss himself, who attributed this misconception to the intense online backlash orchestrated by Mr. Hartung's supporters.

Locals who share his views now steer clear of the Postplatz due to fear, instead relying on second-hand information about its dire state. This reluctance to visit has led to a reliance on hearsay for updates on the square's condition.

The election outcome has brought a mix of emotions to the AfD, Germany's biggest far-right party.

The immediate outcome was a setback for the Alternative for Germany party, which secured only 18.5 percent of votes in the initial round, trailing significantly behind Mr. Hartung's 29 percent tally.

The success of an even more radical party creates an opportunity for the AfD to position itself as a centrist alternative to cautious voters elsewhere in Germany. By not backing Mr. Hartung, the AfD aims to differentiate itself from this smaller, extremist group and maintain a moderate public image.

The AfD's influence can be seen in Mr. Hartung's rising popularity, as he taps into a normalized anti-migrant sentiment that even mainstream parties have begun to adopt. According to Mr. Höhne, this shift has made candidates like Mr. Hartung more acceptable to some voters.

Passing through the threshold of right-wing populism can be likened to entering an uncharted territory where democratic values are gradually abandoned, according to Mr. Höhne's insightful observation.