Ahead of the federal elections in Germany on 23 February, political parties are announcing their election programmes and chancellor candidates. Delegates of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) gathered in Riesa, Saxony, to discuss the party’s election platform.
The conference began two hours late due to protests by AfD opponents outside the venue. Discussions on the election programme and the party’s youth organisation, the Young Alternative (JA), revealed internal tensions. For instance, the ‘hardliners’ opposed changes to the anti-abortion stance, which the more moderate wing feared would alienate mainstream voters. Similar disagreements arose over climate change (favoring abandoning international agreements) and military service (supporting conscription reinstatement).
Youth organisation JA dissolved, new organisation formed
The most contentious debate centered on reforming the JA, previously labeled ‘right-wing extremist’ by German authorities. The reform narrowly passed with 71% of delegates voting in favor, just above the required 66% majority. The JA will be dissolved and replaced by a new youth organisation, the Young Patriots (JP). Unlike the JA, which operated as an independent registered association, the JP will be an official subunit of the AfD.
New terms on family and migration in the programme
The AfD’s election programme focused heavily on tightening immigration policies. The controversial term ‘re-immigration’ was added to the final draft after a party conference amendment. The programme also included a new statement: “The family, consisting of mother, father, and children, is the nucleus of society.” This addition sparked debate, particularly from Hamburg delegate Krzysztof Walczak, who noted that Chancellor candidate Alice Weidel, a homosexual woman raising children with her partner, represents a different family model.
The AfD’s platform also advocates for conscription reinstatement, a return to nuclear energy, lifting sanctions against Russia, improved relations with China and the USA, lower income taxes, a headscarf ban, and abolishing the citizenship allowance (Bürgergeld).
Tough talk from Weidel: Reverse migration and the fight against wind turbines
Co-Chairwoman Alice Weidel, unanimously chosen as the AfD’s chancellor candidate, delivered a fiery acceptance speech. She declared war on “windmills of shame,” referring to Germany’s wind turbines, and pledged “large-scale repatriation” of refugees under an AfD government. Weidel’s use of the term “reverse migration” (Remigration) drew applause from delegates, though it was seen by some as a concession to Björn Höcke, a prominent figure in the party’s radical wing.
Reverse migration a concession to Höcke?
Weidel’s use of “reverse migration” was interpreted as a nod to Höcke, who led the AfD to a historic victory in Thuringia’s regional elections. Bundestag member Kay Gottschalk described the term as a concession to Höcke, stating, “I would have phrased it differently, but that’s what the delegates want.” The AfD defines “reverse migration” as the permanent deportation of individuals who have left their home countries, including refugees, criminals, and those involved in foreign conflicts on German soil.
In her speech, Weidel also called for restarting the Nord Stream gas pipeline, restoring nuclear power, and abolishing gender studies programmes.
AfD shifts focus from Greens to CDU
Notably, Weidel’s speech and the party conference largely ignored the Greens, previously a primary target. Instead, the AfD focused its attacks on the CDU and its leader, Friedrich Merz. The AfD accused the CDU of copying its proposals, such as turning back asylum seekers at borders.
AfD co-chairman Tino Chrupalla praised Weidel’s speech as a strong start to the election campaign, describing it as “fiery” and well-received by supporters. Regarding her criticism of wind turbines, Chrupalla clarified that Weidel was referring to turbines causing environmental degradation, particularly those built in forests. He emphasized that local communities should have a say in such projects.
