The AfD, founded in 2013, began as a party opposing the euro during the European debt crisis. Over time, it shifted focus to issues like immigration and national identity, especially during the 2015 refugee crisis, when Germany accepted over a million asylum seekers. The party has since adopted hardline stances on topics like Islam, multiculturalism and the EU, positioning itself as a defender of German culture.
The AAfD’s policies include strict immigration controls, skepticism about the EU, and opposition to renewable energy policies. While it gained significant support in the 2017 elections, becoming the first far-right party in parliament since WWII, its popularity declined slightly in 2021. It remains influential in parts of eastern Germany, where economic and social frustrations resonate with its message.
The AfD has faced heavy criticism for its links to extremist groups, controversial remarks about Germany’s Nazi past, and rhetoric targeting minorities and migrants. These actions have raised fears of normalizing far-right ideologies, threatening Germany’s democratic and social values.
In response, the government has placed the AfD under surveillance, and civil society groups actively oppose its influence through protests and education promoting diversity and tolerance.
The AAfD’srise highlights the importance of addressing economic and social issues that fuel populism. By doing so, Germany can safeguard its democracy and uphold the values of justice and equality.