Europe news is closely watching Germany as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) heads into a crucial moment, trying to turn rising support into real governing influence in regional elections. The party’s latest convention in Erfurt underlines both its growing confidence and the deep alarm it continues to trigger across German politics.
AfD enters the weekend gathering in a buoyant mood after consolidating itself as a major national opposition force. But the atmosphere around the party remains highly charged, with large protests expected and renewed debate over whether Germany’s political firewall against cooperation with the far right can hold.
Europe news: Why AfD believes it is closer to power
AfD is expected to renew the leadership of co-chairs Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, who have led the party for four years. Their main goal is to project unity at a time when the party believes momentum is on its side.
In Germany’s last national election, AfD delivered the strongest result for a far-right party since World War II. That second-place finish made it the largest opposition party in the Bundestag and the dominant force in much of the former East Germany. Since then, polling has suggested its support has moved beyond the 20.8% it secured in that vote, with some surveys placing it ahead nationally.
The party is now focused on regional contests, especially in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, where it hopes for a result strong enough to open a path to executive power. Another vote in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania soon after adds to the sense that the next phase for AfD is not just protest politics, but the pursuit of office.
- AfD wants to convert strong polling into control of a state government.
- Its best prospects remain in eastern Germany.
- Mainstream rivals still publicly reject cooperation with the party.
The protests and the political firewall
The Erfurt convention is expected to draw tens of thousands of demonstrators, highlighting how divisive AfD remains. While supporters see the party as a challenger to an unpopular establishment, critics view it as a threat to democratic institutions and social cohesion.
Germany’s mainstream parties continue to defend the so-called firewall, a refusal to govern with or rely on AfD. That stance has so far prevented the party from translating electoral strength into broad institutional power. Still, if AfD were to win a commanding result in a regional election, the pressure on that firewall could intensify.
Political observers say the stakes are especially high because German states hold major responsibilities, including education, policing and internal administration. A state government led by AfD would mark a significant shift in postwar German politics.
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A government under pressure helps AfD
A major reason for AfD’s rise is dissatisfaction with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition government. Fourteen months into office, the administration is trying to push through reforms aimed at reviving Germany’s sluggish economy. But many voters remain unconvinced that the changes will deliver quick relief.
Merz has urged patience, arguing that economic recovery requires steady reform rather than dramatic short-term fixes. Even so, frustration over stagnation, living standards and broader uncertainty has created fertile ground for opposition parties.
AfD has proven effective at channeling anger not only over migration, the issue that originally fueled its rise, but also over the economy, foreign policy and public trust in institutions. That wider appeal helps explain why the party continues to attract support beyond its traditional base.
Issues boosting AfD support
- Economic unease and slow growth
- Voter frustration with coalition politics
- Persistent migration concerns
- Polarizing debates over Russia, Ukraine and global security
On foreign policy, AfD has repeatedly called for a different approach from Berlin’s mainstream consensus. The party opposes weapons deliveries to Ukraine and has argued for lifting sanctions on Russia, positions that sharply distinguish it from the federal government.
Security concerns and scrutiny of the party
The possibility of AfD entering state government has intensified concerns among opponents, especially over control of interior ministries and access to sensitive information. Critics argue that if the party were to oversee security structures, the implications could be serious.
AfD is also still embroiled in a legal and political fight over its treatment by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution moved to classify the party as a proven right-wing extremist organization, but that designation was later suspended while courts review the case. The dispute has only deepened the national argument over how Germany should confront the party.
Some activists want AfD banned outright, but that path is difficult. Germany’s constitutional standards for banning political parties are intentionally strict, and many politicians fear that a failed ban attempt could strengthen AfD by letting it present itself as a victim of the establishment.
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What happens next in Germany
The immediate question is whether AfD can transform momentum into a genuine breakthrough in Saxony-Anhalt and beyond. A strong result would test the resolve of mainstream parties and raise new questions about how long they can isolate a movement that commands major support in parts of the country.
For now, Germany faces a familiar but increasingly urgent dilemma: how to respond to a far-right party that is no longer a fringe force, yet still viewed by many as fundamentally dangerous. For readers following Europe news, this is more than a German story. It is a critical signal of how economic anxiety, migration politics and distrust in government are reshaping democracy across the continent.
FAQs
What is AfD?
Alternative for Germany, or AfD, is a nationalist far-right political party in Germany known for its anti-migration stance and criticism of mainstream EU-era policies.
Why are the regional elections important?
They could give AfD its first realistic chance to lead a German state government, especially in eastern Germany where its support is strongest.
Why are there protests against AfD?
Opponents argue the party threatens democratic norms and fosters extremist politics, prompting regular large-scale demonstrations at major party events.
Is AfD banned in Germany?
No. While the party is under scrutiny and some groups want a ban, Germany’s legal threshold for banning political parties is very high.
