BERLIN (AP) – Germany’s alternative appears to be heading towards the most powerful national election results this month, and is currently fielding That first candidate Leading the country. It rarely takes away power anytime soon, but it has become a factor that other politicians can’t ignore and shape German debates about immigration.
The far-right party first entered the German parliament on the back of frustration eight years ago, with the arrival of a large number of migrants in the mid-2010s, and restraining migration remains its signature theme. However, the party has proven to be skilled at being dissatisfied with other issues: movement from German fossil fuels, restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic, and after support from Ukraine A full-scale Russian invasion Almost three years ago.
How did it begin?
The German or AFD alternative was established in 2013 and initially focused on opposing the bailout of struggling countries during the eurozone debt crisis. Angela Merkel It is described as “no replacement.” It was sometimes known as the “Professor’s Party.” This is a reference to a major figure from the early days, but there was already a strong stripe of strong, anti-establishment identity.
Over the years, AFD has become more radical and has repeatedly changed leaders. Merkel’s decision in 2015 was to allow immigrants who recharged a large number of immigrants as political forces, and in the 2017 national election, he won 12.6% of votes to take a seat in the German parliament for the first time.
Where are you standing now?
After returning to Congress with a 10.3% support reduced in 2021, the AFD picked up strength as Prime Minister Olaf Scholz’s Centre left government argued throughout a series of crises. It eventually collapsed.
Germany saw it Wave of protest A year ago, it was caused by a report Right-wing extremists met Its AFD members were present to discuss the deportation of millions of migrants, including those that include German citizenship.
However, it did not damage the long-term polls on the AFD. that Finished second The European Parliamentary elections in June and September were secured by Björn Höcke, the most famous figure of its most difficult wing. First far-right victory In German state elections after World War II.
The AFD is taking part in the February 23rd election with new confidence and radical language. Alice Weidel, the first candidate for Prime Minister, has it I’ve accepted the terminology The “successor,” the party seeks massive deportation of people who are not legally qualified in Germany, is a politically loaded term that was featured in last year’s controversy.
The AFD is calling for the immediate lifting of sanctions against Russia and opposes the delivery of weapons to Ukraine. Germany does not expressly insist on leaving the bloc of 27 countries, but hopes that Germany will reintroduce the country’s currency and transform the European Union into a more relaxed “European Association.” .
Germany’s Domestic intelligence agencies To the party observing the suspected right-wing extremism. The three Eastern Province AFD branches have been designated as “Proven Right-wing Extremists” groups. The AFD strongly opposes these assessments and rejects any relations with the Nazi past. Hecke sued Two beliefs The intentional use of Nazi slogans in political events.
Who will support that?
The AFD is supported across Germany and is represented by all but two of the 16 state legislatures, but the party is the strongest of the former communists and the strongest of the less prosperous East. It’s become.
Wolfgang Schroeder, professor of political science at the Berlin Center for Social Sciences, said: “Additionally, it was an internet party, and from the start we used our own communications, using the emotional power of the internet.
It has helped to perform strongly among younger voters in recent regional elections. The party portrays itself as an anti-realistic force during a period of low trust in politicians, and sometimes dismisses “old political parties” as “cartels.”
Schroeder described it as “like an aircraft carrier for resentment and rage.” Other people say they That doesn’t work.
Who are your friends overseas?
The rise in AFD coincides with the rise in far right parties of many Other European countriesIncludes Austria Free party And at the French national assembly, there is a lot of common ground for this. Weidel was in Budapest to visit the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on wednesday.
But that’s not part of those parties.” European Patriots After some tensions before last year’s EU election, the European Parliament group. The AFD was kicked out of one of the group’s predecessors after Maximilian Krah, a major candidate at the time, but all Nazi men said they were “not necessarily criminals.”
The party has found billionaires and enthusiastic supporters Elon Muska close ally of the US president Donald Trump. Musk I declared “Only the AFD can save Germany,” he grabbed. Live Chat Weidel and X and X appeared on Video Link By Video Link at the AFD campaign rally.
At the rally, Weidel vowed to “make Germany great again” with an echo of the US president’s slogan.
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Kerstin Sopke contributed to this report.
