‘Remigration’ and Russian lessons: German far-right party promises radical measures if elected

Key Points:

• The far-right Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) in Saxony-Anhalt is poised to potentially win an absolute majority in the September state elections, marking a significant rise from its previous status as a political outcast.
• The party's newly adopted 150-page manifesto calls for radical changes in migration, education, welfare, and energy policies, including strict deportations and "remigration," targeting even Ukrainian refugees.
• The AfD's growing popularity is fueled by anti-immigration sentiment, economic disparities between eastern and western Germany, and recent migrant-related attacks, with polls showing the party leading at around 40% in Saxony-Anhalt.
• The party also advocates lifting sanctions on Russia and promoting Russian language lessons, contrasting sharply with the federal government's pro-Ukraine stance amid the war with Russia.
• The AfD's rise in both eastern and western Germany signals a challenge to established parties like the CDU and SPD, reflecting broader European nationalist trends despite recent setbacks in countries like France and Hungary.