Radical changes within AfD: between abandoning extremism and seeking power
The leadership of the AfD party faces a critical challenge in determining its future political course, after experiencing a rise in recent years based on confrontational rhetoric and breaking taboos. While other parties try to maintain red lines, the "Alternative für Deutschland" party has exploited those boundaries as opportunities for distinction and attracting attention. However, the strategy of provocation is no longer yielding results as it once did. After the recent parliamentary elections in which the party achieved its best result in history, pressures have increased on it: the German Constitutional Protection Agency classified it as a far-right party, and the SPD announced its intention to prepare for a ban against it. At the same time, an internal dispute has erupted over the term "Remigration," which threatens the unity of the party. The leadership is currently seeking to adopt a more "moderate" rhetoric, a risky step for a party that built its popularity – especially in East Germany – on a radical distinction from traditional parties. The question now is: can the rhetoric be toned down without losing the grassroots support?
Last weekend, rumors spread in party chat groups on Telegram that the AfD had removed the terms "repatriation" and "leading German culture" from its core program. This news sparked a wave of anger and shock among party supporters, before it later became clear that it was merely a "working paper." Nevertheless, the controversy highlighted the existence of factions within the party that see rapprochement with the CDU as a realistic strategy. Since March, when co-party leader Tino Chrupalla announced that the party would adopt a calmer tone in the upcoming legislative session, clear signs of a shift in strategy began to emerge. The debate intensified when Maximilian Krah – despite being one of the most prominent promoters of the concept of "repatriation" – called for abandoning it for fear of the party being banned. This shift was met with rejection from the more radical factions within the party, who fear that the AfD will turn into a traditional party, losing its identity and substance.
With the increasing external pressures, party leaders resorted to calming down. During a press conference, Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla confirmed that the party still adheres to its position on "Remigration", which is defined as "a set of legal measures to return foreigners obligated to leave to their home countries". However, in the background of this controversy, an internal document published by Politico titled "Starting the Strategy Process" emerged, containing a detailed analysis of the political situation and a short, medium, and long-term plan. Although the document was classified as an individual initiative by MP Beatrix von Storch, it reflects what an increasing number of party leaders are striving for: distancing from the nationalist current and engaging in the "mainstream political current".
The document begins with high ambitions such as "expanding acceptance, tearing down the barrier wall, gaining power," accompanied by a picture of the chancellery. However, the numbers reveal a different reality: 56% of Germans cannot imagine voting for the party, and 68% oppose its participation in the government. According to a recent poll, 48% of Germans now support banning it. In an attempt to avoid further escalation, Stefan Brandner, the party's deputy spokesperson, presented a code of conduct aimed at enforcing discipline within the parliamentary group, stipulating the regulation of speech during public sessions. The new strategy resembles slow cooking: no direct confrontation with the CDU, but a gradual softening until it is ready to cooperate.
The AfD also aims to weaken the relationship between the CDU and SPD and prevent the formation of cross-camp coalitions. It seeks to take over traditional issues such as the economy, energy, and finance in order to pressure the CDU and put it on the defensive. However, this shift is not going smoothly in all branches of the party. While the Berlin branch supports the new direction, the Thuringia and Brandenburg branches cling to a hardline approach, reflecting sharp internal divisions. Nevertheless, the parliamentary group is moving forward with the plan. The new change is not just a linguistic rephrasing, but an attempt to change the party's style from "provocation" to "power." But will this transformation succeed without losing the ideological base? So far, the leadership has been able to balance, but for how long? Moderation may be tactically smart, but without credibility, it could remain a step without a horizon. The new strategy represents the biggest attempt so far to reshape the AfD as part of the "normal political nature" in Germany. As one of the party's slogans says: "Germany, but in a normal way." It seems that the AfD has decided to adapt to the German reality if it wants to participate in shaping its future.