Germany’s AfD Adopts “Radical” Manifesto Ahead of Key Elections

The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party is currently experiencing a surge in opinion polls within the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt, potentially positioning them for an outright majority in the regional elections scheduled for September. This outcome would mark the first time a far-right party has held state-level power in Germany since the Second World War.

During a recent party conference held in Magdeburg, the AfD officially approved a government programme for Saxony-Anhalt. This programme has been widely characterized as “radical” and strongly emphasizes the support of an ethnic German populace.

Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s leading candidate in Saxony-Anhalt and a notable TikTok personality, addressed the delegates, describing the moment as historically significant, not only for the state but for a broader audience. He stated, “The entire of Germany is observing this historic election. Parts of Europe are watching this historic election. Parts of the world are watching this historic election, because from here, finally, the political turnaround can also happen here in Germany.”

Siegmund articulated his party’s willingness to address perceived societal issues, saying, “We have the courage to speak out about what is going wrong in Germany, that we no longer feel safe, that we scarcely feel at home anymore, that we don’t recognize our homeland anymore.” He concluded his remarks with the rallying cry, “Let’s take back our country.”

Programme Details and Criticisms

The AfD’s newly adopted programme spans over 150 pages and outlines extensive plans for Saxony-Anhalt. Key proposals include stringent measures against immigration and substantial support for large families identified as being of German origin. The manifesto also advocates for improved relations with Russia, a stance that directly contrasts with the current federal coalition government’s policies, particularly its support for Ukraine.

Siegmund detailed some of the programme’s tenets, stating, “We say yes to consistent deportations, we say yes to free childcare facilities, we say yes to remigration.” While certain proposals may necessitate federal government action to be implemented, many others are considered feasible at the state level.

Eva von Angern, the leader of the left-wing Linke Party parliamentary group in Saxony-Anhalt, has voiced strong opposition to the AfD’s plans, labeling them a “nightmare scenario for Saxony-Anhalt and for our democracy.” She contends that the AfD is promoting an authoritarian state that would significantly restrict fundamental rights. Von Angern accused the party of harbouring “inhuman fantasies of omnipotence” and urged the public to be aware of the AfD’s “ugly truths” and the “very negative consequences for them personally if the AfD were to govern in Saxony-Anhalt.”

AfD’s Political Standing and Extremist Classification

Saxony-Anhalt, largely comprised of areas formerly part of Communist East Germany, is a significant stronghold for the AfD. However, the party’s strong performance extends across the entire country. In last year’s federal elections, the AfD secured the second-highest vote share, obtaining a record 152 seats in the 630-seat parliament with 20.8% of the vote.

The Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Saxony-Anhalt classified the state’s AfD branch as a “far-right extremist organization” in 2023. Political observers suggest that the government programme being presented in Saxony-Anhalt offers a preview of the party’s national agenda should it gain broader political influence.

Manifesto Content: Migration, Russia, and Family Values

According to reports on the draft manifesto, “a complete U-turn” on migration policy is deemed necessary. It calls for actions to halt what it describes as “illegal, culturally alien and anti-native mass migration.” Specific measures proposed include the deportation of refugees and asylum seekers or their placement in designated central accommodations.

The document prominently features the contentious term “remigration,” referring to the large-scale removal of individuals with “non-German” backgrounds. This concept gained public attention two years prior following revelations of senior AfD members attending a meeting in Potsdam where discussions allegedly centered on remigration and mass deportations. Now, it forms a central theme of the government programme.

Notably, the manifesto explicitly advocates for the “remigration” or return of Ukrainian citizens to their home country, stating, “Stop recognizing Ukrainians as war refugees!”

The pro-Russian sentiment is also evident throughout the manifesto. It asserts that “The current anti-Russian policies of the established parties… are not in Germany’s interests,” and calls for the lifting of energy sanctions on Russia, alongside increased Russian language instruction in schools.

A core component of the AfD’s proposed policies involves supporting large families of ethnic German descent. Given that Saxony-Anhalt has Germany’s oldest population demographic, with an increasing proportion of elderly individuals, the party positions this as a strategy to combat “the extinction of the German people.” Proposed incentives include tax breaks for larger families and the provision of free childcare.

The party promotes a highly conservative definition of family, stating it should comprise “a father, a mother and as many children as possible.” It attributes the declining birth rate partly to what it terms “sexual deviations and non-reproductive lifestyles,” and plans to prohibit gay pride flags in educational institutions.

The manifesto also outlines intentions to withdraw funding from public broadcasting services within Saxony-Anhalt.

Protests and Legal Challenges

The AfD’s party conference saw hundreds of individuals gathered in protest outside the venue. Last year, the national AfD party was also designated as “right-wing extremist” by Germany’s domestic intelligence service, a decision that drew criticism from the White House. However, the party has contested this classification, and a German court has since issued a temporary injunction preventing the use of the term pending a final ruling.