Alternative for Germany (AfD) -

In response to the tragic knife attack in Solingen,

In response to the tragic knife attack in Solingen, Germany is set to step up its border controls from September 16. The attack left three people dead, following which the German government has taken a tougher stance on immigration and security.

The suspect in the knife attack in Solingen, a Syrian national who had previously failed in an attempt to get asylum and was facing deportation, has been linked to the Islamic State group, further fuelling the debate over immigration policies. The attack has also intensified the government’s plan to expand border checks, a move initially set to last for six months.

FILE – A German federal police officer stops cars and trucks at a border crossing point between Germany and Czech Republic in Furth am Wald, Germany, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)

New border controls announced
German Interior Minister Nancy Fieser announced the new border measures, stressing that the government is committed to addressing irregular migration and enhancing national security. “We are doing everything in our power to protect our country’s people from these threats,” Fieser said. The expanded checks will be implemented at all major border points, including those to Poland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Austria. Currently, Germany mainly carries out spot checks on roads and trains along its eastern and southern borders.

These new measures come at a time when political tensions have risen. The right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has made significant gains in recent local elections, topping a poll for the first time since the Nazi era. This political shift has put pressure on the ruling coalition to take a tougher stance on immigration.

Political pressure and responses
The increased border checks are seen by some as a direct response to the growing influence of the AfD. The ruling coalition, led by the Social Democratic Party (SPD), and other mainstream parties have been grappling with how to address the rise of the AfD. In the wake of the election results, there has been a notable shift in policy proposals, with some parties advocating stricter immigration measures.

The AfD’s success in regional elections, particularly in eastern Germany, has sparked debate about Germany’s approach to asylum and border management. The party’s rise has fueled calls for more restrictive policies, including a proposal by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) to turn away asylum seekers at the border, even if they are eligible for protection based on having passed through other safe EU countries.

Germany’s migration policy context

Germany has historically been a major destination for refugees, particularly during the 2015-2016 migrant crisis when more than one million people, many of them fleeing the conflict in Syria, sought asylum in the country. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has also led to the arrival of 1.2 million Ukrainians since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

The Solingen attack has prompted the German government to review and adjust its migration policies. Measures announced include tightening rules for refugees facing deportation, which would end benefits, and resuming the deportation of convicted Afghan criminals. These changes mark a significant shift in Germany’s approach to migration and border security.

International reactions and impact
Neighbouring country Austria has also voiced its opinion on the issue. Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said Austria would not accept migrants rejected by Germany, highlighting the growing pressure on European migration policies.

The focus on immigration and border controls has sparked a wider debate about security and integration in Germany. Critics argue that the new measures may be more about addressing political pressures than effectively enhancing security. They suggest that focusing solely on immigration policies may not fully address the underlying issues of radicalisation and violence.

Looking ahead
As Germany implements these new border controls, the impact on both national security and public opinion will be closely monitored. The government’s approach to dealing with the aftermath of the Solingen attack and its response to growing political pressures will shape the future of Germany’s immigration policies and its political landscape.

In conclusion, the strengthening of border controls reflects a broader trend of intensified scrutiny on immigration and security issues in Germany. The response to the Solingen attack underscores the complex interrelationship between security concerns, political pressures, and public sentiment, and highlights the challenges policymakers face in addressing these multifaceted issues.

Scholz urges firewall against far right after election win 2024.

In the wake of significant victories in regional elections by the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged mainstream parties to form a united front and oppose any cooperation with the right-wing party. Scholz’s call comes after the AfD’s big win in the eastern state of Thuringia, marking a remarkable shift in Germany’s political landscape. The result is the AfD’s first outright victory in a state parliament election since World War II, a development that has set off alarm bells across the country’s political spectrum.

Divisive win in Thuringia and growing influence in Saxony
The AfD’s victory in Thuringia is seen as a pivotal moment in German politics. With over 30% of the vote, the party not only won the state election but also obtained an “obstructing minority”. This status allows the AfD to block major legislative changes such as the appointment of new judges or constitutional amendments. The political impact of this result is enormous, as it effectively complicates the formation of any stable government in the region. The AfD also performed strongly in the neighbouring state of Saxony, gaining 41 seats in the regional parliament and coming in second only to the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which won 42 seats. The result in Saxony further underlines the AfD’s growing influence in Germany’s eastern regions, which have historically been more receptive to the party’s far-right, anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Scholz’s warning: Maintain a “firewall” against the far-right

In response to these election results, Chancellor Scholz has called on all democratic parties to maintain a “firewall” against the AfD to prevent the far-right from gaining any governing power. Scholz described the election results as “bitter” and “worrying”, saying, “All democratic parties are now called upon to form a stable government without right-wing extremists.” He emphasised the need for a broad coalition of mainstream parties to unite against the rise of extremism and preserve the democratic integrity of German politics.

AfD’s counter-argument: Challenge to democratic norms?

However, AfD co-leader Alice Weidel criticised Scholz’s call for a firewall, calling it “undemocratic”. Weidel argued that the significant success made by her party in both Thuringia and Saxony represented a “clear mandate to govern” from voters. She argued that excluding the AfD from government coalitions would “undermine the democratic participation of large sections of the population.” “Firewalls are undemocratic,” she said, accusing mainstream parties of refusing to accept the will of voters.

The AfD’s leadership has stuck to its view that they deserve a role in government, pointing to their electoral success as proof of their legitimacy. Björn Höcke, the AfD’s top candidate in Thuringia, has suggested that there are many CDU voters who would welcome a partnership between the two parties. However, the CDU has made it clear that it will not consider any cooperation with the AfD, leaving the path to a majority coalition highly uncertain.

Dilemma for the conservative CDU: left or right?

The CDU now faces a tough choice in Thuringia. With the AfD holding a minority and refusing to be sidelined, the CDU will need to form a coalition with left-wing parties to establish a governing majority. However, the CDU has previously been reluctant to work with the left-wing Die Linke party, a stance that complicates coalition talks.

This situation leaves the CDU potentially considering a partnership with the newly formed Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), the more radical left-wing populist. Such a coalition would be unpalatable to many within the CDU’s conservative ranks, yet it may be the only viable option to form a stable government without involving the AfD. This potential coalition highlights the broader challenge of maintaining a centrist stance in the face of deep political divisions and rising populism within the region.

Implications for Germany’s national coalition government
The regional elections in Thuringia and Saxony also reflect widespread discontent with Germany’s national “traffic-light” coalition government, made up of Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, and the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP). All three governing parties performed poorly in the regional elections, a sign of growing discontent among voters with the current national leadership.

The SPD, in particular, performed poorly in both Thuringia and Saxony, winning only six seats in the former and coming in fifth in the latter. The Greens and FDP also failed to gain any significant momentum, underscoring the challenges facing the national coalition. These election results are likely to increase internal rifts within the coalition, with each party trying to impose its own values more forcefully.

“Far-Right AfD Celebrates Major Win in Thuringia”

In a significant shift in German politics, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has celebrated a “historic victory” in the eastern state of Thuringia. The result marks a landmark moment for the far-right party, which has emerged as a powerful force in German state politics. With an estimated nearly a third of the vote in Thuringia, the AfD has overtaken the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and overtaken Germany’s three ruling parties. A historic victory According to early estimates from public broadcaster ARD, the AfD is set to get around 32% of the vote in Thuringia, a nine percentage point lead over the CDU. The win is particularly notable as it would be the AfD’s first victory

in a state parliament since the end of World War II. Although the party is unlikely to form a government in Thuringia due to a lack of coalition partners, the results represent a significant political shift in the region. In neighbouring Saxony, the AfD also performed strongly, coming in second behind the CDU. The conservative party is projected to win around 32% of the vote in Saxony, only slightly less than the AfD, which is expected to win around 31%. The AfD’s top candidate in Thuringia, Björn Höcke, has been a controversial figure in German politics. Known for his polarising speeches, Höcke has been accused of extremism and fined for chanting Nazi

slogans, although he denies any wrongdoing. Despite failing to win a direct mandate for the state parliament, Höcke’s place at the top of the AfD’s list could still secure him a seat. Reacting to the results, Höcke expressed pride and described the result as “historic”. He suggested the result reflected widespread discontent with the current political establishment and a demand for change. Charlotte Knobloch, a prominent Holocaust survivor, expressed concern about the implications of the election results. He noted that the elections marked 85 years since the start of World War II and warned that the results could lead to a more unstable and less secure Germany. The results in Thuringia and Saxony come ahead of next year’s federal elections, where the AfD currently stands in second place nationally. AfD co-leader Alice Weidel described the results as an “oath” to the ruling coalition parties, suggesting that the AfD’s growing influence is reshaping the political landscape in Germany. Björn Höcke and other AfD leaders have hinted at a possible cooperation with the CDU. However, the CDU has strongly rejected any alliance with the far-right party, stressing its commitment to maintaining a clear distance from extremist elements. For many voters in Thuringia, immigration has been a central issue. The AfD’s success in the region underscores widespread frustration with the way the political establishment has handled immigration and asylum policies. Voters who support the AfD criticised existing parties for failing to address their concerns about immigration and security. Recent events, such as a deadly attack at a street festival in Solingen, have heightened national anxiety about immigration and asylum policies. The AfD has capitalised on

these fears, pressing for tougher measures and positioning itself as a champion of those disillusioned with the status quo. The rise of populism The AfD’s success in these state elections is part of a broader trend of rising populism across Europe. In addition to the AfD’s strong performance, the recent rise of Sahra Wagenknecht’s left-wing populist party, BSW, has also caused a stir. Wagenknecht’s party, which came in third in both Thuringia and Saxony, shares some of the AfD’s doubts about continued support for Ukraine, but its policy proposals differ. Wagenknecht’s success highlights the growing polarisation in German politics, with voters increasingly turning to parties that challenge the traditional political establishment. Wagenknecht’s party has also refused to cooperate with the AfD, despite having similar stances on some issues. The AfD’s success has sparked concern among other political groups. The Left Party, which previously won in Thuringia, has slipped to fourth place. Thuringia’s outgoing Left Party prime minister Bodo Ramelow criticised the election campaign as fear-filled and warned against the normalisation of extremist ideologies. Protests against the AfD have been significant, with anti-AfD demonstrators gathering outside the Thuringia state parliament. Many opponents fear the AfD’s rise could undermine democratic values and make society more divisive and less tolerant.