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As Europe's right advances, Germany's AfD rethinks its anti-euro roots
Reuters • • world
Key Points:
- The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), initially founded in opposition to the euro and EU policies, is shifting its approach to Europe as it gains political influence and aims to enter the federal government by the end of the decade.
- The AfD is moving away from advocating for Germany to leave the eurozone or EU, instead proposing treaty renegotiations to create a looser union with opt-out options for policies like defense and immigration.
- This strategic shift aligns with trends in other European far-right parties, such as France’s National Rally and Italy’s Brothers of Italy, which have moderated eurosceptic positions to gain broader appeal and political power.
- Economic realities also influence the AfD’s recalibration, with younger members acknowledging that Germany’s export-driven economy would suffer greatly from leaving the EU or eurozone, making greater cooperation within Europe more practical.
- Despite these changes, internal party debates continue, with some members resisting the move away from hardline euroscepticism, reflecting ongoing tensions over the AfD’s European vision.
