AfD's Approved Party Platform
At a party conference in Magdeburg, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has formally adopted its election manifesto. This platform contains a series of controversial demands, including a call to revoke the refugee status of Ukrainians in Germany and to encourage their return. The document also advocates for closer ties with Russia, the lifting of sanctions, mass deportations, and other measures. The AfD is polling strongly in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, where elections are scheduled for September.
Key Platform Proposals
According to the approved program, stripping Ukrainians of refugee status would result in the loss of their social benefits and state support. The party proposes instituting a 'culture of farewell' for illegal migrants. Other key demands include the cancellation of sanctions against Russia, the resumption of gas purchases via the Nord Stream pipeline, expanded Russian language teaching in schools, and the launch of student exchange programs with the Russian Federation.
Saxony-Anhalt, home to roughly 2 million people, is the second-poorest German state in terms of GDP per capita. The AfD's support in the region is polling at around 40%. The party's candidate for state premier, Ulrich Siegmund, has stated the AfD will 'make history.' The party previously won elections in Thuringia in 2023 and secured second place in last year's federal elections with 21% of the vote. Germany's domestic intelligence service has officially classified the AfD as a right-wing extremist organization.
The AfD's platform includes the following points:
- Revoking refugee status for Ukrainians
- A 'culture of farewell' for illegal migrants
- Forced deportations
- Lifting sanctions against Russia
- Resuming gas purchases via Nord Stream
- Expanding Russian language teaching in schools
- Launching school exchange programs with Russia
- Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement
- Abolishing the right to asylum
- Banning gender-inclusive language in government institutions
- Dismantling public broadcasting and the federal agency for political education
The adoption of this manifesto has caused significant controversy in Germany, particularly against the backdrop of the current political climate and the rising support for far-right forces. The platform could influence the upcoming state election in Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD hopes to capitalize on its high polling numbers. If implemented, these policies would represent a dramatic shift in Germany's approach to migration and its foreign relations with both Ukraine and Russia. The party's stance has also raised serious concerns among human rights advocates and international organizations dedicated to refugee protection. The AfD's platform reflects a broader European trend of nationalist parties gaining influence by challenging established policies on war, migration, and international cooperation.
The AfD's controversial stance on Ukrainian refugees comes amid broader discussions in Germany about national security and defense policies. Recently, the government implemented measures to restrict the travel of reservists abroad, aimed at strengthening the country's defense capabilities. This shift highlights the ongoing tension between immigration policies and national security, raising questions about the future of both domestic and foreign relations. For more on how these developments may impact Germany's defense strategy, see our article on reservists' travel restrictions.