Translated by Angela Tagliafierro
In Germany, the new year 2024 started with several manifestations all over the country. As concerning politics, the German population protested against a party: Alternative for Germany, AfD (Alternative für Deutschland).
Founded in 2013 during the sovereign debt crisis, from the very beginning the AfD introduced itself as a party of the extreme right wing. In the German society it has often been related to the National Socialism, to the negation of the Holocaust and the will to abandon the euro coin. In spite of all, in 2017 it managed to enter the Parliament and today is the third political party in the Bundestag. Moreover, the AfD has also achieved the majority in three Länder, namely Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg, where elections are scheduled to be held in September.
The reason for this popularity can be attributed to the moment of economical crisis Germany is living in. On one hand, this is noticeable in the farmers’ protests, soon joined by the AfD proponents. On the other hand, the migratory crisis burst in Europe some years ago. This is where the reason lies according to a part of the German population: the European Union crisis. As a matter of fact, “Dexit”, the potential Germany exit from the European Union, is another possible project planned by AfD. The party seeks to restore German sovereignty at the expense of the EU. This is an important element if you think of the next European elections, which will be held next July.
Around a million German people protested in the squares in many cities on January 20th – 21st, 2024 after discovering a secret meeting held in November 2023. On this specific occasion, organized by the Austrian Identity Movement, several representatives of the European Extreme Right, including some members of the AfD, met. “Geheimplan” is the result of the meeting, namely a secret plan focused on “re-emigration”. It is a real “deportation” of immigrated citizens, and citizens with Germany nationality who never fit in.
In brief, linking these elements to the past is immediate, as it was for the German population, who decided to take to the streets to defend the democratic principles of the German country. The protests against AfD are still going on thanks to a strong popular participation, who brought to the cancellation of the event on many occasions. This is due to the unexpected crowd of people who would have never allowed to hold the event safely. The popular reaction sends a clear message of union and solidarity by several generations and social classes in the German landscape in a cohesive and cross way.
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