Germany: AfD ante portas
However, if you google the AfD in German, you will find dozens of press articles and public statements that view the AfD negatively. Why do the press/public opinion, and the popular views seem to contradict each other?
Perhaps media and the public observers still adhere to the old democratic ways of thinking, while the German population has largely moved away from them and prefers new right-wing extremist views.
This would not be surprising, as similar trends can be seen in France, Austria, and Italy. A shift to the right in Europe? Not necessarily, if you think of Spain and the UK.
There is no question that Germany is heading toward a right-wing extremist government. At the federal level, the "dams" against AfD built by the democratic parties are still holding. But how long will they last?
Italy and France are in a better position, because their right-wing extremists are trying to smooth over their rough edges and give themselves an appearance of normality, perhaps even a touch of democracy.
Not so the AfD. It seems to be comfortably cultivating its radicalism, because in this way it continues gaining the approval of its voters.
As long as its approval ratings continue to rise, there is no sign of the AfD moderating its program.
Therefore the problem is not the party, but rather the stance of
its voters/sympathizers: the Germans, who are agreeing with AfD's views it in ever-increasing numbers.
However, in its hubris, the AfD is its own worst enemy. Its radicalism is blocking the path to possible coalitions and normal parliamentary proceedings. Its all-or-nothing strategy will perhaps save German democracy. At least for the time being.
The deputy leader of the AfD parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Markus Frohnmaier, is planning a trip to Moscow. Politicians from the CDU/CSU and SPD are warning against the leakage of confidential information and Russian influence.
“The AfD has always been a threat to national security because a large proportion of its members have acted submissively towards enemies of our democracy – especially Vladimir Putin,” said Marc Henrichmann (CDU), chairman of the Bundestag's intelligence oversight committee.
The AfD regularly acts as a “mouthpiece and extended arm of the Kremlin.” “Russia deliberately uses pro-Russian parties such as the AfD for disinformation, influence, and division in Europe,” warned CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter.
SPD domestic politician Sebastian Fiedler said he had “no doubt” that AfD deputy leader Frohnmaier “maintains continuous contacts with Russia and is part of Russia's broad influence operation.”