Changes

*Tomlinson, Chris (January 24, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/01/24/german-intelligence-used-antifa-research-to-build-case-against-populists/ German Intelligence Used Antifa ‘Research’ to Build Case Against Populists]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 24, 2019.</ref> and it has blocked the party's candidates from running in some elections.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (August 18, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/08/18/court-german-populists-can-only-field-30-candidates-in-regional-election/ Court: German Populists Can Only Field 30 Candidates in Regional Election]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 18, 2019.</ref> On the other hand, the AfD became popular with the German military and police forces.<ref>Waterfield, Bruno (June 23, 2019). [https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/german-army-and-police-being-lost-to-far-right-parties-r2dd6h6tq German army and police being ‘lost’ to far‑right parties]. ''The Times''. Retrieved June 30, 2019.</ref>

*Tomlinson, Chris (January 24, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/01/24/german-intelligence-used-antifa-research-to-build-case-against-populists/ German Intelligence Used Antifa ‘Research’ to Build Case Against Populists]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 24, 2019.</ref> and it has blocked the party's candidates from running in some elections.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (August 18, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/08/18/court-german-populists-can-only-field-30-candidates-in-regional-election/ Court: German Populists Can Only Field 30 Candidates in Regional Election]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 18, 2019.</ref> On the other hand, the AfD became popular with the German military and police forces.<ref>Waterfield, Bruno (June 23, 2019). [https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/german-army-and-police-being-lost-to-far-right-parties-r2dd6h6tq German army and police being ‘lost’ to far‑right parties]. ''The Times''. Retrieved June 30, 2019.</ref>

Russian Germans, who were persecuted under [[Stalin]] and immigrated to Germany after 1991, comprise an important constituent base of the AfD.  There are three million Russian Germans living in modern Germany.  Many have encountered [[Russophobia]] living in [[the West]], bigotry against their [[Orthodox]] faith, and been refused permits to gather in large crowds to celebrate [[Victory Day]] over [[fascism]].<ref>[https://youtu.be/NYAy3r16cE4 Russlanddeutsche - unsere fremden Nachbarn? | SWR Doku], Jul 13, 2022.</ref>  Not surprisingly, the AfD is strongest in the five states which comprise the former East Germany, though not as strong in Berlin proper.

Russian Germans, who were persecuted under [[Stalin]] and immigrated to Germany after 1991, comprise an important constituent base of the AfD.  There are three million Russian Germans living in modern Germany.  Many have encountered [[Russophobia]] living in [[the West]], bigotry against their [[Orthodox]] faith, and have been refused permits to gather in large crowds to celebrate [[Victory Day]] over [[fascism]].<ref>[https://youtu.be/NYAy3r16cE4 Russlanddeutsche - unsere fremden Nachbarn? | SWR Doku], Jul 13, 2022.</ref>  Not surprisingly, the AfD is strongest in the five states which comprise the former East Germany, though not as strong in Berlin proper.

In 2025, four AfD candidates have been reported to have "died" two weeks before local elections.<ref>https://eadaily.com/en/news/2025/08/31/in-germany-four-candidates-from-the-afd-suddenly-died-shortly-before-the-election</ref><ref>https://www.bluewin.ch/en/news/international/four-afd-politicians-die-within-a-few-weeks-2851164.html</ref>

In 2025, four AfD candidates have been reported to have "died" two weeks before local elections.<ref>https://eadaily.com/en/news/2025/08/31/in-germany-four-candidates-from-the-afd-suddenly-died-shortly-before-the-election</ref><ref>https://www.bluewin.ch/en/news/international/four-afd-politicians-die-within-a-few-weeks-2851164.html</ref>

The AfD was founded in 2013 by economics professor Bernd Lucke.<ref name="Germany'sFarage">Zeronian, Sarkis (July 5, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/07/05/germanys-farage-becomes-leader-of-eurosceptic-alternative-for-germany-party/ ‘Germany’s Farage’ Becomes Leader Of Eurosceptic Alternative For Germany Party]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> Although the party was relatively conservative and [[Euroskeptic]] it mainly opposed the Eurozone<ref name="BBC"/>), it was a neo-liberal party that attracted middle class opponents of the [[Eurozone]].<ref name="Germany'sFarage"/> The party made several gains during this time, with seven AfD members being elected to the [[European Parliament]] in 2014.<ref name="BBC">[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37274201 What does Alternative for Germany (AfD) want?]. ''BBC''. September 5, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref>

The AfD was founded in 2013 by economics professor Bernd Lucke.<ref name="Germany'sFarage">Zeronian, Sarkis (July 5, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/07/05/germanys-farage-becomes-leader-of-eurosceptic-alternative-for-germany-party/ ‘Germany’s Farage’ Becomes Leader Of Eurosceptic Alternative For Germany Party]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> Although the party was relatively conservative and [[Euroskeptic]] it mainly opposed the Eurozone<ref name="BBC"/>), it was a neo-liberal party that attracted middle class opponents of the [[Eurozone]].<ref name="Germany'sFarage"/> The party made several gains during this time, with seven AfD members being elected to the [[European Parliament]] in 2014.<ref name="BBC">[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37274201 What does Alternative for Germany (AfD) want?]. ''BBC''. September 5, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref>

A power struggle within the party soon broke out, with Lucke, who wanted the party to remain liberal while opposing the Euro, his liberal course was opposed by Frauke Petry and her conservative, right-wing faction that emphasized law and order, [[European immigration|immigration]], conservative social views, and criticism of [[Islam]].<ref name="Germany'sFarage"/> In the AfD party elections of July 2015, Petry won 68 percent of the vote, becoming the new leader of the party.<ref name="Germany'sFarage"/> The liberal Lucke subsequently left the party and formed his own.<ref name="BBC"/> Additionally, five of the party's seven MEP's left the party.<ref name="BBC"/> The AfD quickly adopted Petry's conservative, right-wing populist agenda, and it continued its support for a referendum over leaving the Eurozone.<ref name="BBC"/><ref name="Telegraph">Huggler, Justin (September 4, 2016). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/04/germanys-far-right-afd-unseats-angela-merkels-party-in-key-regio/ Germany's far-right AfD hands defeat to Angela Merkel's party in key regional vote]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> In October 2017, Petry left the AfD and founded the Blue Party, intended to promote a more moderate and [[establishment]] "conservatism."<ref>Hale, Virginia (October13, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/10/13/former-afd-leader-launches-new-party-appealing-moderate-conservatives/ Former Populist Leader Launches Party Appealing to ‘Moderate Conservatives’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 13, 2017.</ref>

A power struggle within the party soon broke out, with Lucke, who wanted the party to remain liberal while opposing the Euro; his liberal course was opposed by Frauke Petry and her conservative, right-wing faction that emphasized law and order, [[European immigration|immigration]], conservative social views, and criticism of [[Islam]].<ref name="Germany'sFarage"/> In the AfD party elections of July 2015, Petry won 68 percent of the vote, becoming the new leader of the party.<ref name="Germany'sFarage"/> The liberal Lucke subsequently left the party and formed his own.<ref name="BBC"/> Additionally, five of the party's seven MEP's left the party.<ref name="BBC"/> The AfD quickly adopted Petry's conservative, right-wing populist agenda, and it continued its support for a referendum over leaving the Eurozone.<ref name="BBC"/><ref name="Telegraph">Huggler, Justin (September 4, 2016). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/04/germanys-far-right-afd-unseats-angela-merkels-party-in-key-regio/ Germany's far-right AfD hands defeat to Angela Merkel's party in key regional vote]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> In October 2017, Petry left the AfD and founded the Blue Party, intended to promote a more moderate and [[establishment]] "conservatism."<ref>Hale, Virginia (October13, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/10/13/former-afd-leader-launches-new-party-appealing-moderate-conservatives/ Former Populist Leader Launches Party Appealing to ‘Moderate Conservatives’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 13, 2017.</ref>

Under Petry's leadership, the AfD continued to grow dramatically, winning numerous seats in state parliaments.<ref name="Telegraph"/><ref name="DW">[http://www.dw.com/en/what-is-the-alternative-for-germany/a-19527050 What is the Alternative for Germany?]. ''DW''. September 5, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref><ref name="Wa.T.">Moulson, Geir (September 4, 2016). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/sep/4/alternative-germany-party-wins-state-election/ Anger over Merkel’s Syria refugee policy drives win for Alternative for Germany party]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> The AfD formed an alliance with the [[Freedom Party of Austria]] in 2016 due to their shared Eurosceptic views.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36504307 Nationalist Austria-Germany summit held on Zugspitze summit]. ''BBC''. June 10, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> Despite AfD's shift to the right under Petry, she supported making alliances with the [[establishment]] German parties with the aim of eventually forming a governing coalition with them, something which brought her under much criticism from others in her party. Alexander Gauland and Alice Weidel were elected as AfD's top candidates for the 2017 general election instead of Petry, who chose not to run.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/04/23/germanys-populist-afd-party-elects-new-right-wing-leaders/ Germany’s Populist AfD Party Elects New Right Wing Leaders]. ''Breitbart News''. April 23, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2017.</ref>

Under Petry's leadership, the AfD continued to grow dramatically, winning numerous seats in state parliaments.<ref name="Telegraph"/><ref name="DW">[http://www.dw.com/en/what-is-the-alternative-for-germany/a-19527050 What is the Alternative for Germany?]. ''DW''. September 5, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref><ref name="Wa.T.">Moulson, Geir (September 4, 2016). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/sep/4/alternative-germany-party-wins-state-election/ Anger over Merkel’s Syria refugee policy drives win for Alternative for Germany party]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> The AfD formed an alliance with the [[Freedom Party of Austria]] in 2016 due to their shared Eurosceptic views.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36504307 Nationalist Austria-Germany summit held on Zugspitze summit]. ''BBC''. June 10, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> Despite AfD's shift to the right under Petry, she supported making alliances with the [[establishment]] German parties with the aim of eventually forming a governing coalition with them, something which brought her under much criticism from others in her party. Alexander Gauland and Alice Weidel were elected as AfD's top candidates for the 2017 general election instead of Petry, who chose not to run.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/04/23/germanys-populist-afd-party-elects-new-right-wing-leaders/ Germany’s Populist AfD Party Elects New Right Wing Leaders]. ''Breitbart News''. April 23, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2017.</ref>

The youth wing of the party, however, is more liberal than the party overall. For example, it advocated adopting climate change policies more in alignment with [[Environmental alarmism|climate alarmists]].<ref>Nasr, Joseph (May 29, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-afd/save-coal-lose-youth-vote-far-right-german-party-faces-climate-policy-revolt-idUSKCN1SZ1KD Save coal, lose youth vote? Far-right German party faces climate policy revolt]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved May 29, 2019.</ref>

The youth wing of the party, however, is more liberal than the party overall. For example, it advocated adopting climate change policies more in alignment with [[Environmental alarmism|climate alarmists]].<ref>Nasr, Joseph (May 29, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-afd/save-coal-lose-youth-vote-far-right-german-party-faces-climate-policy-revolt-idUSKCN1SZ1KD Save coal, lose youth vote? Far-right German party faces climate policy revolt]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved May 29, 2019.</ref>

[[Poll]]s show that 61% of the [[populist]] AfD supporters would fight to defend Germany, compared to just 22% of [[globalist]] Green Party supporters, who most vocally support the [[NATO proxy war in Ukraine]] and German rearmament. The [[sovereign]] tist right wants a strong national defense but opposes using German resources to fight [[America]]'s [[proxy war]] with [[Russia]]. The [[establishment]] [[left]] talks tough about standing up to [[Putin]] but won't personally risk anything and opposes [[conscription]] at home.<ref>[https://www.theamericanconservative.com/the-rise-of-german-nationalism-exposes-washingtons-delusions/ The Rise of German Nationalism Exposes Washington’s Delusions], Leon Hadar, ''[[The American Conservative]]'', Dec 11, 2025. </ref>

[[Poll]]s show that 61% of the [[populist]] AfD supporters would fight to defend Germany, compared to just 22% of [[globalist]] Green Party supporters, who most vocally support the [[NATO proxy war in Ukraine]] and German rearmament. The [[sovereign]] right wants a strong national defense but opposes using German resources to fight [[America]]'s [[proxy war]] with [[Russia]]. The [[establishment]] [[left]] talks tough about standing up to [[Putin]] but won't personally risk anything and opposes [[conscription]] at home.<ref>[https://www.theamericanconservative.com/the-rise-of-german-nationalism-exposes-washingtons-delusions/ The Rise of German Nationalism Exposes Washington’s Delusions], Leon Hadar, ''[[The American Conservative]]'', Dec 11, 2025. </ref>

==2025 federal elections==

==2025 federal elections==

[[File:Photo 2024-12-31 22-29-45.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Alice Weidel gained the lead for Chancellorship after the 2024 Christmas Market terror attack that killed 5 and injured hundreds. The [[Bundestag]] was dissolved and President [[Frank-Walter Steinmeier]] called for new elections.]]

[[File:Photo 2024-12-31 22-29-45.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Alice Weidel gained the lead for Chancellorship after the 2024 Christmas Market terror attack that killed 5 and injured hundreds. The [[Bundestag]] was dissolved and President [[Frank-Walter Steinmeier]] called for new elections.]]

AfD candidate [[Alice Weidel]] was asked if she also wants to use "[[hate]] and agitation like [[Donald Trump]]" in her [[political]] campaigns. Weidel responded, saying that people were sick of the [[Liberal media|media]], they didn't want to hear all the hate the media had for Donald Trump and that's why he won, and that people don't want to hear that [[woke]] [[garbage]] anymore.<ref>https://t.me/myLordBebo/54197</ref>

AfD candidate [[Alice Weidel]] was asked if she also wants to use "[[hate]] and agitation like [[Donald Trump]]" in her [[political]] campaigns. Weidel responded, saying that people were sick of the [[Liberal media|media]], they didn't want to hear all the hate the media had for Donald Trump and that's why he won, and that people don't want to hear that [[woke]] [[garbage]] anymore.<ref>https://t.me/myLordBebo/54197</ref>[[Elon Musk]] posted on [[X]], "only the AfD can save [[Germany]]" and penned an op-ed in support of his position in ''Welt am Sonntag''.<ref>https://www.zerohedge.com/political/last-spark-hope-germany-musk-pens-pro-afd-op-ed-major-paper-editor-resigns</ref> and, speaking to the AfD election congress via video, Musk called on German [[citizen]]s to vote for the AfD and said that the upcoming elections on February 23, 2025 "could decide the fate of [[Europe]], and perhaps the fate of the world."

"Go out on the streets, talk to people, convince them to vote. Change is needed. It has to be done. This election is very important, extremely important. Don't talk about it lightly. I think the future of civilization may depend on this election. So when something is so important, you have to say: 'Okay, you have to do everything you can to convince people to vote for the AfD,'" He added.<ref>https://rumble.com/v6dbnm1-the-future-of-the-world-depends-on-it-elon-musk-speaks-to-afd-rally-urges-g.html</ref>

 

"Go out on the streets, talk to people, convince them to vote. Change is needed. It has to be done. This election is very important, extremely important. Don't talk about it lightly. I think the future of civilization may depend on this election. So when something is so important, you have to say: 'Okay, you have to do everything you can to convince people to vote for the AfD,'" he added.<ref>https://rumble.com/v6dbnm1-the-future-of-the-world-depends-on-it-elon-musk-speaks-to-afd-rally-urges-g.html</ref>

In what apparently was a rigged election,<ref>https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2025/02/germany-holds-an-election-in-an-alternate-reality.html</ref> the AfD still garnered 20.8% of the vote and 173 seats in the [[Bundestag]], the largest bloc.

In what apparently was a rigged election,<ref>https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2025/02/germany-holds-an-election-in-an-alternate-reality.html</ref> the AfD still garnered 20.8% of the vote and 173 seats in the [[Bundestag]], the largest bloc.