Berlin: The growing electoral influence of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is drawing increasing attention across Europe, with the party’s advance raising questions about the country’s political direction and the future of the European Union. Founded in 2013, the AfD initially emerged as a eurosceptic movement focused on opposition to eurozone bailout policies, but its politics shifted sharply to the right during the 2015 refugee crisis.
Immigration, opposition to multiculturalism, German nationalism and criticism of the European Union have since become central to the party’s platform. The AfD advocates tighter controls on migration and faster deportation of irregular migrants, while arguing that immigration threatens Germany’s cultural identity. It has also taken a strongly critical position towards Islam and has opposed measures associated with progressive social politics.
The party operates under a co-leadership structure, with Alice Weidel among its most prominent national figures alongside Tino Chrupalla. In eastern Germany, AfD leaders have built particularly strong support among sections of the working class. Björn Höcke, the party’s Thuringia leader, represents its most controversial and radical wing and has been classified as right-wing extremist by German authorities.
The AfD has made substantial gains in several eastern states, including Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Saxony and Brandenburg. Its support has also expanded beyond its traditional strongholds amid concerns over inflation, energy costs and economic stagnation. The party is now represented in the legislatures of 15 of Germany’s 16 states and has become a major force in the federal political landscape.
The implications extend beyond Germany. As the European Union’s largest economy and one of its key political anchors, Germany plays a crucial role in shaping common European policies. A stronger AfD could make consensus on issues such as migration, climate policy, fiscal reforms and European integration more difficult.
Its hardline position on immigration could also influence political debates in neighbouring countries, potentially encouraging tighter border controls and intensifying disagreements over migration within the EU. Such developments could put additional pressure on the Schengen system, which allows passport-free travel across much of Europe.
For supporters, the AfD represents a response to concerns over security, immigration, national identity and economic pressures. Critics, including mainstream political parties and German authorities, view its radical elements as a potential threat to Germany’s democratic institutions and social cohesion.
The party’s continued rise therefore matters not only for Berlin but for the wider European project. How Germany’s mainstream parties respond to the AfD, and whether the party can translate its growing electoral support into greater political power, could significantly influence the future direction of both Germany and the European Union.
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