Why are Germans protesting the far-right AfD party? | Explained

The Hindu explains why Germans are protesting against the far-right Alternative for Germany party, and the growing popularity of AfD’s anti-immigration stance.

The story so far: Hundreds of thousands of protestors have descended on German streets over the last week, with banners reading “Nazis, no thank you” and “It feels like 1933, AfD ban now.” The nationwide demonstrations unfolded in response to a media report, which said members of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party allegedly participated in a meeting to discuss forced deportations of millions of Germans, all immigrants. The gathering was reminiscent of “the horrible Wannsee conference” of 1942, where the Nazis infamously planned the systemic extermination of European Jews, said Interior Minister Nancy Faeser to a media outlet. The report offered a glimpse into how far-right actors and organisations network, and the influence they exert on German politics.

Demonstrations gained momentum from Hamburg to Postdam, where the meeting was held, under the call of #TogetherAgainstRight. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, participating in the protests, told the media that any plan to expel immigrants is “an attack against our democracy, and in turn, on all of us.”

It started with an investigation into a “secret plan.” Media outlet Correctiv on January 10reported that AfD members, along with supporters of the extremist Identitarian Movement, furtively met on November 25 to discuss a “masterplan” of “remigration.” Martin Sellner, leader of the Identitarian Movement and far-right activist, reportedly proposed to “extract” asylum seekers, non-Germans with citizenship and ‘non-assimilated’ German citizens. The discussions are centred around the “great replacement” conspiracy theory, a belief that non-white migrants in Europe seek to replace Europe’s ‘native’ white population. Mr. Sellner reportedly plans to move “foreigners” to a “model state” in North Africa. According to Collectiv, members did not object to the plan, only expressing concerns about its feasibility.

The AfD confirmed its members were present for the November meeting, but denied their participation in a deportation discussion.

The protests come at a time when the AfD is soaring in popularity in national polls with more than 20% support — ahead of Mr. Scholz’s Social Democrats party — months before three major State elections in eastern Germany. The AfD enjoys a strong support base among voters there. Intelligence authorities have labelled the party’s local branches in these regions as “secured extremists.” Ulrich Siegmund, an AfD politician from one such region, reportedly spoke of ideas to make Saxony-Anhalt “as unattractive as possible for this clientele” in his meeting.

Also Read | Germany’s AfD conundrum

The report triggered outrage from politicians, church leaders, even Bundesliga football managers. A demonstration in Hamburg, which drew 50,000 people, had to be dismissed due to “safety concerns,” the police said. Public broadcaster ARD reported waves of mobilisation have been planned across 100 locations. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on January 21 said the protestors “give us all courage,” and expressed hope the “society will wake up and that the silent majority will finally take a stand against extremism in our country.”