The Bunker – News without the nonsense Germany's far-right problem: Are the AfD Nazis?
Feb 20, 2025
In this discussion, Annette Dittert, the Senior Correspondent for ARD German TV in London, dives into the complexities of Germany's far-right AfD party. She examines the party's concerning ties to neo-Nazi groups and its nationalist rhetoric. Dittert unpacks the radical transformation of its leader, Alice Weidel, and how her personal life contrasts with the party's extremist shifts. The conversation also explores historical connections to Nazism and the evolving political landscape in Germany, especially among younger voters.
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AfD and Nazism
- The AfD, while not a direct Nazi successor, has close ties to neo-Nazi groups, especially in East Germany.
- Their leader in Thuringia, Björn Höcke, is officially classified as a fascist.
AfD Policy Platform
- The AfD's platform is anti-democratic, pro-Putin, and seeks to weaken Germany's ties with the EU and Western alliances.
- They advocate ending aid to Ukraine and question the rule of law.
Alice Weidel's Contradictions
- Alice Weidel, a lesbian living with a Sri Lankan woman, leads the AfD despite advocating for "normal families".
- While initially moderate, she has become increasingly radical, now supporting the concept of "re-migration".