As Germany prepares for its impending federal election, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party finds itself buoyed by recent polling, showing support above 20%. This surge posits the AfD as a contender for the title of the second-largest party in the Bundestag, raising eyebrows and concerns alike.
Yet, the prospect of the AfD wielding power remains remote. A longstanding agreement among the nation’s established parties forbids collaboration with the AfD, a stipulation deeply rooted in Germany’s complex historical context—one tainted by the shadows of its Nazi past.
Described by many of its political foes as extremist, the AfD has profoundly influenced this election’s discourse, especially surrounding immigration. Interestingly, recent polls indicate that more voters are rallying behind the party compared to its performance in the 2021 elections. How did we arrive at this point?
The AfD emerged in 2013, birthed from a coalition of economists and journalists protesting against the euro. Initially, it championed fiscal conservatism, but amid the migrant crisis of 2015 and 2016, the party took a decisive pivot towards anti-immigration rhetoric. During this tumultuous period, Germany, under Chancellor Angela Merkel’s leadership, opened its doors to over a million refugees, predominantly from the Middle East and Afghanistan. Such a humanitarian approach was met with fierce opposition from the AfD, which capitalized on rising national sentiments against immigration.
In an attempt to navigate the shifting tides of public sentiment, Chancellor Olaf Scholz reinstated temporary border checks last September, a move reflecting the changing political landscape. Today, the AfD claims 76 seats in the Bundestag, translating to just under 10% of the assembly. But its ambitions stretch far beyond this number.
The party’s rhetoric has escalated, demanding a so-called “remigration” policy—a euphemism for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants—and urging stricter controls at the nation’s borders. Moreover, the AfD’s opposition extends to military aid for Ukraine and the imposition of sanctions against Russia. It has taken a hardline stance against the European Union, advocating for a Brexit-like referendum to extricate Germany from the bloc. The party’s foundational opposition to the euro remains steadfast.
Alice Weidel, the current leader of the AfD and its candidate for Chancellor, cuts an intriguing figure. At 46, she is an economist with a background in banking, yet it is her personal life that adds another layer of complexity to her public persona. Weidel is openly lesbian and shares a civil union with a Sri Lankan film producer, raising two children in a country wrestling with its own notions of identity.
Weidel represents a shift in the party’s demographic appeal; the AfD is not only entrenched in eastern Germany but is also attracting a growing number of younger voters. A recent endorsement from Elon Musk and a meeting with US Vice President J.D. Vance further amplify her stature, suggesting a newfound international admiration. However, lurking beneath the surface are more controversial figures like Björn Höcke, leader of the party in Thuringia, who was fined for invoking Nazi-era slogans in a public address. These elements complicate the AfD’s public appeal.
As reported by Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), the AfD has been classified as potentially extremist since 2021. Weidel has condemned the BfV’s actions as an attempt to marginalize the party from democratic discourse. In January 2024, German investigative media reported that AfD figures discussed mass deportation policies targeting those of non-German descent, igniting widespread outrage and protests against far-right extremism throughout the country.
Despite these controversies, voter enthusiasm for the AfD has remained robust. In just two months, three high-profile incidents involving immigrants—such as tragic car-ramming attacks—have reignited fierce debates about immigration and security, propelling the AfD’s agenda into the limelight.
Interestingly, while many Germans express a deep-seated aversion to the idea of the AfD gaining power, the party’s sentiment resonates strongly in certain regions. During a recent trip to snowy Bavaria, I encountered a mixed bag of reactions. A retired gentleman openly expressed his concerns about the AfD’s extremist views. Yet, how would the same inquiry fare in Thuringia, a traditional stronghold for the party? The answers may vary drastically.
Ultimately, the odds are stacked against the AfD’s immediate ascension into the government. Nevertheless, its anticipated presence in the next Bundestag signifies a pivotal force that will undoubtedly shape the discourse on immigration and national identity in Germany for the foreseeable future.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
