

In the 2021 federal election the AfD lost 2.2% compared to the 2017 election. That was under Merkel. Given Covid the economy was not doing amazing either. The big difference was that climate change was a huge issue, with is something the AfD does not serve well.
The simple truth is the next election is likely in three years. The left-wing parties are reorganising and some big things might very well happen in the meantime. An end of the war in Ukraine might happen. That might well remove Russian money for the AfD. Also US sentiment tends to flow towards Germany. So a big left wing victory might very well help the left here. You also have the very simple fact that in the last election the left party came back from near death and the Greens managed their second best result ever, while part of a deeply unpopular government.
Germany is not lost and it is foolish to pretend it is. The next elections are certain to be democratic and banning the AfD remains an option.
Finally something Söder is qualified for.