The Alternative for Germany party is divided: differing positions on the German army
Germany is working to strengthen its military arsenal due to Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine; however, the largest opposition party in the country, AfD, is deeply divided on how to deal with the military. The Görlitz district recently voted to ban advertising for the Bundeswehr and the arms industry in public spaces. The proposal, which came from the Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) coalition, received support from co-party leader Tino Chrupalla, with the party stating that the goal is "de-escalation, diplomacy, and peace," according to Die Welt.
Historically, AfD has expressed contradictory positions regarding the Bundeswehr. On the seventieth anniversary of the army's founding, the party expressed its solidarity with the armed forces and called for greater appreciation for the service of soldiers. However, internal discussions revealed tensions, particularly regarding recruitment and military readiness. Last week, former German parliament member and Bundeswehr officer Rüdiger Lucassen criticized his party colleague Björn Höcke after he stated that Germany no longer deserves to be defended.
Höcke responded on platform X, confirming his readiness "at any time" to "fight and die for the existence of Germany," emphasizing that the youth should be held accountable by politicians who must "return to their duty to their people." Researchers note that this rhetoric aligns with historical nationalist ideas that emphasize loyalty, collective responsibility, and defense of the community.
A survey conducted by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung revealed that most AfD deputies will not fight for Germany under the current government. Only eleven out of 151 members responded in agreement, justifying their position by their political dissatisfaction rather than a peaceful stance. In contrast, former soldiers like Lutzan and Jan Nolt expressed their full readiness, relying on the oath that soldiers take to defend the rights and freedoms of the German people.
Positions on conscription within the party also differ. Leader Alice Weidel supports the reinstatement of mandatory military service, while Krupalla opposes it, arguing that conscripts should not be sent on foreign missions, especially to Eastern Ukraine. Current laws (§12a of the Soldiers Act) state that conscripts can only be sent abroad with written consent. The German government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, continues to reject the deployment of ground troops, emphasizing that any speculation in this regard is unrelated to current efforts for peace and a ceasefire. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed that discussions about sending troops will only take place after hostilities have ended.