The dilemma that could test the AfD's rising popularity | DW News

Key Concepts:

• AfD (Alternative für Deutschland): A far-right political party in Germany.
• Remigration: A far-right concept involving the forced return of asylum seekers, economic migrants, and "unassimilated citizens," including those with citizenship.
• Ethno-nationalism: A form of nationalism that defines the nation in terms of ethnicity.
• Firewall: An informal rule in German politics that no party in the political center ground works with the AfD.
• Extremist Organization: A classification by Germany's domestic intelligence agency that can lead to restrictions on party members.
• CDU (Christian Democratic Union): A center-right political party in Germany.
• Doublespeak: The practice of using language to conceal, mislead, or misrepresent the truth.
• Neue Rechte (New Right): A political and intellectual movement within the German far-right.

1. AfD's Rise and Ambitions:

• The AfD aims to make Alice Weidel Chancellor after the 2029 elections, with the goal of "running Germany."
• The party's strategy hinges on appealing to core voters, persuading swing voters, and breaking the firewall.
• The AfD achieved its best election result ever in 2024, coming second with more than 20%.

2. The Controversy Around "Remigration":

• Definition: Remigration, as promoted by figures like Martin Sellner, involves the forced return of asylum seekers, economic migrants, and "unassimilated citizens," including those with German citizenship.
• Sellner's View: Sellner believes that individuals who prefer to live in Islamic parallel societies should go to an Islamic state, even if they hold German citizenship.
• AfD's Internal Conflict: The term "remigration" has caused infighting within the AfD, with some members, like Maximilian Krah, advocating for its abandonment due to constitutional concerns.
• Von Storch's Assurance: Beatrix von Storch claims that the party's understanding of remigration does not include German citizens, dismissing concerns as a "made-up story."
• Krah's Warning: Maximilian Krah argues that using "remigration" divides citizenship into two classes, which is unconstitutional.

3. The Remigration Summit and International Connections:

• In May, an international remigration summit was organized, attended by elected AfD officials.
• The summit aimed to discuss how to restore European cultural hegemony, a code for a white Europe.
• Elon Musk has also backed the concept of remigration.

4. The CDU's Engagement with the AfD:

• Friedrich Merz (CDU) proposed anti-immigration bills that passed with the support of the AfD, marking a crack in the firewall.
• This collaboration aimed to address migration concerns but ultimately failed to drain support from the AfD.

5. Classification as an Extremist Organization:

• Germany's domestic intelligence agency classified the AfD as an extremist organization, stating that it "aims to exclude certain population groups from social participation, subject them to unconstitutional unequal treatment, and assign them a legally devalued status."
• The report references Weidel's remigration speech, stating it was designed to cater to voices within the party calling for blanket remigration of millions.
• If upheld by a court, this classification could bar AfD members from public sector jobs.

6. The AfD's Strategy Paper:

• The AfD's strategy paper outlines a plan to win power by binding core voters, persuading swing voters, and breaking the firewall.
• The debate over remigration risks undermining this strategy.

7. Public Opinion and Historical Echoes:

• A survey showed that 85% of Germans reject remigration.
• For some, the idea of remigration carries echoes of Germany's history with the Nazis.

8. The AfD's Doublespeak:

• The AfD practices doublespeak, presenting moderate manifestos while some leaders express more extreme views.
• The party struggles to control the term "remigration" and its connotations.

9. The Threat of a Ban:

• Some politicians want the constitutional court to ban the AfD.
• A ban is possible if the party is deemed a threat to post-war constitutional principles, including respect for human dignity and equality of citizens.
• Public support for a ban has grown since the party was associated with remigration.

10. Internal Divisions and Public Disputes:

• Internal divisions within the AfD have burst into the public, with figures like Krah and Kubitschek clashing over the issue of remigration.
• Björn Höcke, a prominent figure in the party, endorsed Martin Sellner's book on remigration, further fueling the controversy.

11. Notable Quotes:

• "The aim of AfD is to run Germany."
• Martin Sellner: "If they prefer to live in an Islamic parallel society, they might as well just go to an Islamic state."
• Beatrix von Storch: "Never did. No, no one ever said that. No one ever meant that this is just, this is just a story which had been made-up."
• Maximilian Krah: "It is against the constitution because it divides the citizenship into two classes of citizens."
• Peter Neumann: "Something that sounds innocuous, like remigration is being is being used in order to hide a policy that is actually illiberal or in the case of the AFD and remigration is actually unconstitutional."
• Björn Höcke: "If there's someone you know making noise, let him make noise."

12. Synthesis/Conclusion:

The AfD's pursuit of power is complicated by the controversial concept of "remigration." While it energizes the party's base, it alienates swing voters, raises constitutional concerns, and increases the risk of being labeled an extremist organization, potentially leading to a ban. The internal divisions and public disputes surrounding remigration highlight the challenges the AfD faces in reconciling radical instincts with the pragmatism required to achieve its political ambitions. The party's future hinges on whether it can navigate this internal conflict and shed the extremist label without alienating its core supporters.