Alternative for Germany (AfD) was established as an anti-euro party in 2013. With the migration crisis of 2015, and the arrival of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees, it transformed into a basically anti-immigration party. AfD shares a program with other European far-right parties, but offers nuances that make it very particular and unsettling.
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Deportations of immigrants
AfD supports reducing the concept of asylum and deporting people without residence permits. They have adopted the concept of “remigration,” very similar to the policy now practiced by the Trump administration in the United States. They also want to increase immigrant controls at the border. Within the party, there are nostalgics of Nazism and also neo-Nazis. That part of Germany is once again governed by a party with these characteristics raises concern throughout Europe.
Strengthening German identity
AfD believes that traditional German culture should be promoted to the detriment of other expressions. Rejection of political Islam. Party members have already shown their willingness to marginalize artistic expressions of German modernity from the interwar period. Some of its leaders have indicated that the feeling of guilt of German society for its responsibility in the Holocaust is a burden they must rid themselves of.
Against climate change policy
AfD is against climate change policy and wants the European Union to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate. It promotes continued use of fossil fuels and a return to nuclear energy.
Against the European Union
The party led by Alice Weidel proposes that the European Union return most of its powers to the member states. AfD promotes a thorough reform of the European government but openly talks about Germany withdrawing from the EU.
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Pro-natalism and family
AfD supports strengthening the role of the traditional family and wants to encourage birth rates with subsidies to families. It opposes gender policies that have been practiced in recent years.
Approach to Russia
AfD wants Germany to rearm and pursue a foreign policy guided by its own interests and not by government commitments to multilateral organizations. The party supports restoring relations with Russia and reducing support to Ukraine in its conflict with Moscow.
Less state, fewer taxes
The German far-right proposes that state intervention in the economy be reduced and that taxes be lowered. It opposes any kind of financial bailout for other Union countries.
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