"Did we do a good job, or should we have left that stone unturned?"

Regarding the quality of the average Website - no , but also no to the second. The time of the internet was just there with no precedent and now it is hyped imperfect AIs we have to deal with. I think the main problem in both cases is, that most people don't have a clue at all, how it works. (And too many of them are in positions of power).

Oh yes, I am very much a fan of the swiss system (and consider moving there) and direct democracy wherever possible. But my point was, that a plebiscite does not change the fact, that the people are very divided themself. Also not everyone would accept those results, because they would argue, too many non white germans could vote who should not have the right etc. Some worldviews are just not compatible.

My solution? I would not mind if germany breaks up into smaller states. (The Swiss system works, because it is small.) Some white, some diverse, some whatever. If possible, all still members of the EU. But many nationalists would rather have civil war instead.

There were also some rallies in saxony and more are scheduled for next weekend. Way lower in numbers of course, but it is something. And it is a wake up call for people to come together, before it is too late.

"the people in the economically "left behind" regions are actually going to feel even more attacked by these rallies, most likely, since they already feel like their views are being ignored."

And most of those people radicalized during Covid (there is a big intersection of anti vaxx people with the AfD). They already live in their own universe - disconnected from any source that might challenge their worldview and they made up their mind already about everything. They are comfortable with a de facto Nazi Leader (Höcke) - and yes, they complain that they are getting ignored. But sorry, I would continue to ignore their views of a racist white germany. Apart from that, sure the big politics made many misstakes and did not care about those "left behind" regions at all. And yes, imposing top down, that a quite village suddenly has to host many war traumatized immigrants - was not the way to do it. But the big politics did - and just branded every concerns as racist.

That rightfully pissed people off. But being pissed off about the government is still no justification for becoming a Nazi in my opinion.

"So they will finally give the people what they ask for? "

How is that possible, when the people themself are divided?

For example with weapon support for Ukraine:

"Some 44% believe sending Leopard 2 battle tanks to Kyiv is the wrong decision, according to the results of a survey by pollster YouGov published on Sunday.

At least 41% support the German government as it plans to send the first of 18 tanks to Ukraine "

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/majority-of-germans-against-...

And with immigration it is similar. Quite some literally want to protect germany as a white nation that speaks only german - but many don't. Many are sceptical of arab troublemakers, but otherwise like a diverse society.

So where is the solution fitting everyone? What can the politicians do, to make everyone happy?

"The AfD has gotten louder and stronger last year, and it's reaching further and further into other parties' voter bases"

They reached into actual daily politics of the government - because Chancellor Scholz now also say things like "we have to start massivly kicking immigrants out"

https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/olaf-scholz-ueber...