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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

German Far-Right Party Holds Convention, Echoing Nazi Party's Past

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party held its national convention in Erfurt, coinciding with the anniversary of the Nazi Party's 1926 convention.
  • The party re-elected co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla and aims to win regional governments in upcoming elections.
  • Approximately 31,000 protesters demonstrated against the AfD, citing concerns over its anti-immigrant stance and alleged totalitarian policies.

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party convened its national congress in Erfurt, drawing controversy for scheduling the event on the same dates as the Nazi Party's 1926 convention. The party re-elected Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla as co-leaders for a two-year term.

We will first govern in the states, then in the federal government.

— Tino ChrupallaExpressing the AfD's ambition for political power in Germany.

The AfD, which has seen a surge in support fueled by anti-immigration sentiment, is aiming for control of regional governments in upcoming elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. In two of these states, the party leads in opinion polls with around 40% support.

Co-leader Tino Chrupalla expressed confidence in the party's future, stating, "We will first govern in the states, then in the federal government." Alice Weidel's call for strict deportation policies was met with strong applause from delegates.

We are strictly implementing the deportation policy.

— Alice WeidelStating the party's stance on deportation policies during her speech.

Despite the AfD's growing influence, an estimated 31,000 protesters, including trade unions, civic groups, and left-wing parties, gathered to demonstrate against the convention. They attempted to block the venue, but delegates had already entered the hall early in the morning. Protesters voiced concerns that the AfD pursues totalitarian policies and fails to address real issues, advocating instead for mass deportations.

The AfD is pursuing totalitarian policies. This party wants to deport the masses of immigrants without solving a single real problem.

— Resistance (anti-fascist solidarity group)Explaining the protesters' concerns about the AfD's agenda.

Critics, such as Andreas Audretsch, deputy leader of the Green Party's parliamentary group, accused the AfD of intentionally and overtly continuing the legacy of the Nazi Party. The timing and location of the convention, particularly its proximity to the anniversary of the Nazi Party's 1926 congress in Weimar, where Hitler pledged loyalty and the Hitler Youth was established, fueled the strong opposition.

The AfD is intentionally and overtly continuing the tradition of Hitler's party.

— Andreas AudretschA Green Party official criticizing the AfD's historical alignment.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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