Germany’s far-right party AfD is polling in second place for the European elections, raising concerns about the current government’s efforts to counteract the threat from the far-right. Political violence is on the rise in Germany, with attacks on politicians from the Green party and Social Democrats blamed on AfD. Experts fear that AfD could bring significant changes to the country’s constitution, school curriculum, and laws if they gain power. Many voters who support AfD want a change in politics and view the established parties as being too similar.
In response to the rising influence of the far-right, social democrats from Germany and Europe recently held a democracy congress in Berlin where they pledged not to cooperate with far-right parties in potential coalition formations. The government is making efforts to address the far-right threat, with an acknowledgement of the dangers it poses to democracy and society. However, mistakes were made in the past in addressing right-wing extremism, allowing crimes to go unpunished and emboldening the far-right. There is also a perception issue where mainstream politicians are hesitant to celebrate national victories or accomplishments for fear of being labeled as nationalist.
The spokesperson for the Amadeu Antonio Foundation recommended that politicians take more active steps to be honest with voters and acknowledge any mistakes made in the past, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic. It is crucial for politicians to be proud of Germany’s achievements and successes, such as its transition towards green energy and economic resilience during the pandemic. Blumenthal points out that the AfD utilizes fear-mongering tactics to gain votes, painting a picture of apocalyptic scenarios related to migration and international relations. This nostalgic backward vision that AfD promotes is not one that many wish to live in, highlighting the importance of countering these narratives.
The fear-mongering tactics employed by populist parties in Europe, including the AfD, focus on a return to a perceived better past, such as the 1950s, to attract votes. However, the portrayal of migration, support for Ukraine, and support for Israel as threats to Germany is based on fear rather than reality. Many experts are concerned about the impact of the AfD on Germany’s political landscape and fear that their rise could lead to significant changes in the country’s policies and values. The government and mainstream parties must work to address these concerns and counteract the narratives promoted by far-right parties like AfD.
As the European elections approach, the rise of the far-right in Germany has sparked debates about the effectiveness of the current government’s response to this threat. The AfD’s strong polling numbers have raised concerns about the potential impact of their policies on Germany’s democracy and society. Efforts to combat the far-right include social democrats’ commitment to not form alliances with such parties, as well as the government’s acknowledgment of the dangers posed by right-wing extremism. However, more proactive measures are needed to address the root causes of the far-right’s rise and to counteract their fear-mongering tactics. By celebrating Germany’s achievements, being honest with voters, and challenging the narratives promoted by populist parties, mainstream politicians can help prevent the further spread of far-right ideologies in the country.
