The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is set to achieve its highest national result in history, with polling showing it ahead of the opposition conservatives by 21%. The far-right party’s surge in popularity has been fueled by a global anti-migration wave and endorsements from prominent figures such as U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
Despite being shut out from power due to a consensus among other major parties not to team up with the AfD, the party remains emboldened. Its 12-year-old history has seen it shake up the election debate, pushing mainstream politicians to recognize a disillusioned electorate’s hunger for change.
The AfD’s new supporters are primarily voters in western states who feel frustrated by Germany’s weak economy and seek curbs on migration. Younger people also appear to be flocking to the party, with some citing frustration with their economic prospects.
The party’s platform includes replacing the European Union with a looser trade bloc, stopping arming Ukraine, and ending Germany’s policy of atonement for World War Two crimes. Its leader, Alice Weidel, has been dubbed “Alice fuer Deutschland” (Alice for Germany), which some consider provocative due to its resemblance to a banned Nazi-era slogan.
Despite concerns about the AfD’s foreign policies, analysts say the party’s ability to pivot on issues without abandoning domestic policy issues will be key to its future success. The election result could determine whether the AfD maintains or loses momentum in the coming years.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germanys-far-right-afd-is-shut-out-power-now-waiting-wings-2025-02-19