Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is set to achieve its strongest national election result yet, according to recent polls. The party has gained significant support from discontented voters who feel disillusioned with the government and its policies.
The AfD was founded in 2013 as a eurosceptic party focused on opposition to bailouts for struggling countries in the eurozone debt crisis. However, it has since evolved into a more radical party, using social media to tap into voters’ emotions and concerns about migration, climate change, and security.
AfD’s signature policy is curbing migration, which remains a central theme of its campaign. The party also opposes NATO membership for Germany and supports Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Its leader, Alice Weidel, has called for “remigration,” a term that refers to the deportation of people without legal entitlement to be in Germany.
The AfD’s rise has been linked to the growing popularity of far-right parties across Europe. However, its radical stance has made it difficult for other parties to work with it. Despite this, the party remains popular among young voters and has gained support from influential figures like billionaire Elon Musk.
With its strongest election result yet looming, Germany’s domestic intelligence agency is keeping a close eye on AfD, labeling some of its branches as “proven right-wing extremist” groups. The party has rejected these assessments and maintains that it does not have any association with the Nazi past.
As the country prepares for its February 23 election, one thing is clear: the far-right Alternative for Germany will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in German politics.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/germany-far-right-afd-election-migration-weidel-53ed34f57556ad394c53868726d47194