The AfD’s rising popularity in national polls underscores its growing appeal. According to recent surveys, the party is polling at 18,5%, second only to the conservative-in-name-only bloc of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU), which holds 31,5%. Meanwhile, the left-liberal Social Democrats (SPD), led by Chancellor Scholz, have fallen to 16%.
The snap election comes amid political upheaval, with Scholz’s coalition collapsing in November after disputes over the 2025 budget and Ukraine aid. This disarray has provided an opening for opposition parties like the AfD to capitalize on voter discontent.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is setting the stage for a dramatic election campaign with its recently drafted manifesto. The election program will reportedly be discussed and adopted in January. The party, which polls show is rising in popularity, has reportedly made its clearest call yet for Germany to leave the European Union, abandon the euro, and redefine its position in global and regional politics. AfD has neither confirmed nor denied the reports about its election program, but said that the document was sent to delegates of the federal party conference, scheduled for mid-January.
The document’s lead author, Professor Ingo Hahn, has described it as a “convincing work that not only names the pressing problems of our country, but also shows clear solutions that will lead Germany out of the current misery.”
The party plans to call a referendum to change Article 23 of the constitution, which regulates Germany’s participation in the EU, to have it adjusted to refer to a new “Community of Economies and Interests (WIG).” The AfD also has plans for Germany to withdraw from the eurozone and adopt a stable national currency, possibly retaining the euro as a parallel currency.
AfD’s draft program, set for discussion at the party’s January conference, outlines a series of transformative policies:
EU Exit and a New European Framework
The party advocates for Germany’s departure from the European Union. Instead, the party envisions establishing a “new European community” grounded in national sovereignty and less centralized governance.This alternative framework would be negotiated with current EU states and prospective members, rejecting what the party describes as the EU’s push towards becoming a “superstate.”
Return to a National Currency
The AfD seeks to end Germany’s membership in the eurozone, reinstating a “stable national currency.” This reflects the party’s long-standing criticism of EU fiscal policies and perceived financial imbalances within the eurozone. On the euro, the AfD manifesto argues for the reintroduction of a national currency to end what it describes as the “misguided path of permanent bailouts” within the bloc. The use of cryptocurrency bitcoin should be deregulated, the program says.
Renewed Trade Ties with Russia
Energy policy and trade with Russia feature prominently in the draft manifesto. The AfD calls for resuming imports of Russian natural gas, citing its affordability and importance for German industry. This marks a sharp divergence from the current German government’s stance, which has aligned with broader EU sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. According to the draft program, Ukraine should build its future as a neutral state “outside the EU and NATO.” It makes no mention of the Ukrainian conflict.
The manifesto underscores the need to normalize ties with Russia, a move it justifies as being in Germany’s national interest. The AfD argues that the current policy of isolating Moscow over the Ukraine war is counterproductive and detrimental to German business.
Amid ongoing tensions over the Ukraine conflict, the manifesto emphasizes restoring Germany’s economic relationship with Russia, particularly in energy. The party calls for the lifting of sanctions and the repair of the Nord Stream pipelines, citing Russia’s critical role in supplying affordable natural gas to German industry, emphasizing trade and energy ties over geopolitical considerations. The manifesto frames this as a cost-effective solution to Germany’s energy crisis and a way to stabilize industrial competitiveness.
The AfD has repeatedly criticized the government’s focus on renewable energy and reliance on liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, which it argues are expensive and insufficient for Germany’s needs.
The AfD’s manifesto directly challenges Germany’s current foreign policy consensus. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government, alongside the EU, has taken a firm stance on supporting Ukraine, imposing sanctions on Russia, and pursuing a green energy transition. The AfD’s proposals signal a sharp pivot towards realpolitik, prioritizing economic pragmatism and national sovereignty over collective European commitments.
Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement
The manifesto reportedly challenges the “scientific” consensus on climate change, advocating a rollback of Germany’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris Agreement. The AfD targets the Paris Climate Agreement, rejecting what it calls the “politically constructed” consensus on man-made climate change. The party opposes restrictions on coal, oil, and natural gas usage, describing carbon dioxide as beneficial for global plant growth and food security.
Restricting Abortion Law
AfD proposes tightening abortion regulations, aligning with its broader socially conservative agenda.
Rising Popularity Amid Political Shifts
AfD’s manifesto emerges at a time of political turbulence. The collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition government has triggered a potential snap election in February 2025, creating an opening for opposition parties to challenge the status quo. The AfD has positioned itself as a vehicle for a important change, particularly for voters disillusioned with the EU, global climate initiatives, and Germany’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war.
The party has grown significantly since the 2021 parliamentary elections, where it secured 10% of the vote. Now polling much higher, it reflects a broader European trend of national-conservative parties gaining ground amid economic discontent and cultural divisions.
An AfD-led push to exit the EU and eurozone could have far-reaching economic consequences. Germany is the EU’s largest economy, and its departure would destabilize the euro, disrupt trade agreements, and weaken EU as we know it. The AfD’s stance on climate and abortion policies is expected to galvanize voters further. Their plans signal a direct challenge to the EU’s old vision of integration and shared governance. A German exit from the EU could embolden other Eurosceptic movements, undermining decades of EU anti-souvereignist centralization policies.
The AfD’s manifesto underscores its ambition to upend Germany’s political and economic status quo. While it resonates with parts of the electorate frustrated by economic hardship and cultural change, its new proposals carry significant new dynamics domestically and internationally.
As the February elections approach, the AfD’s trajectory will serve as a litmus test for the strength of national-conservatism in Germany and its potential to reshape European politics. Whether the party’s new platform can translate into electoral success remains to be seen.
The manifesto has predictably sparked outrage among Germany’s political left liberal elite, but its appeal to voters cannot be underestimated. The AfD has surged in recent opinion polls, buoyed by public frustration over inflation, high energy prices, and perceived overreach by Brussels. In some regions, particularly in eastern Germany, the AfD has emerged as the leading political force.
If the AfD gains significant traction in the upcoming elections, its manifesto could reshape Germany’s political course. An AfD-driven shift away from the EU and NATO would have profound consequences for the EU project. The manifesto also highlights growing divisions within Germany over how to balance national interests with international obligations. While critics argue that the AfD’s proposals risk isolating Germany, supporters see them as a necessary recalibration of priorities in an increasingly multipolar world.
In an era of geopolitical uncertainty, the AfD’s platform underscores the enduring tension between globalization and responsible national politics, with Germany once again at the center of Europe’s crossroads.
