Hundreds of thousands of people gathered across Germany over the weekend to protest against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The protests were sparked by a public outcry after it was revealed that several AfD politicians had met with a prominent ethno-nationalist figure to discuss the possibility of mass deportations of individuals of foreign origin. These revelations have shaken Germany’s political establishment, as the country has long believed that extremist right-wing ideologies would never gain enough popularity to succeed at the ballot box. However, recent national polls show that support for AfD is surging, with nearly one in four Germans indicating that they would vote for the party. This puts AfD ahead of all three parties in Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s governing coalition.
AfD is a Eurosceptic and anti-immigration party that has positioned itself as the voice of those disappointed with Germany’s political establishment. The party advocates for the protection of “western Christian culture” and traditional family values. Its rising popularity coincides with a period of economic downturn for the country, driven by the loss of affordable Russian gas and declining global demand for German products.
The far-right party has faced criticism for its association with extremist figures and ideologies. Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the BfV, has designated three of AfD’s regional branches as extremist and has warned about the infiltration of far-right figures in the party who aim to undermine democratic institutions.
Protesters took to the streets in cities and smaller towns across the country. In Munich, a gathering had to be cancelled by the police due to overcrowding fears after an estimated 80,000 people showed up. Similar protests in Berlin and Frankfurt also drew thousands of demonstrators. Some protesters carried signs drawing connections between the current political climate in Germany and the years leading up to the Nazi regime’s election in 1933.
AfD’s leadership has attempted to distance itself from the recent scandal, with party leader Alice Weidel stating that they do not support forced deportations based on ethnic origin. However, criticism of the party remains, with German corporate veteran Joe Kaeser calling on business leaders to publicly oppose AfD, expressing concern for the country’s democracy.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier publicly supported the demonstrations in a video message, commending the hundreds of thousands of people who stood up against misanthropy and right-wing extremism. He described these individuals as defenders of the republic and the constitution.
The protests and the growing popularity of AfD highlight the division and concerns within German society regarding far-right ideologies. As Germany continues to grapple with these issues, the political landscape of the country may undergo significant changes in the coming years.