Germany’s Far-Right AfD Goes Quiet – Scared of a Ban? (Reuters Report)
Germany’s far-right party, the AfD, is suddenly acting less extreme—dressing sharper, avoiding chaos in parliament, and even dropping its controversial call to kick out immigrants. Why? According to a Reuters report, they’re scared of being banned—and desperate to win real power.
What’s Happening?
- The AfD, Germany’s second-biggest party, just agreed to a toned-down manifesto—leaving out its explosive demand for mass immigrant “remigration” (a policy courts called unconstitutional).
- Leaders now want to look “professional,” but hardliners are furious. One far-right mentor complained: “Why change when we’re at 20% in polls?” (Reuters sources reveal internal splits.)
- Other parties still refuse to work with them, and Germany could ban the AfD if courts rule it’s too extremist.
The Bigger Picture
The AfD is copying Italy’s far-right—trying to seem “respectable” to grab power. But as Reuters notes, critics call this a fake makeover:
- They still attack immigration in speeches.
- Radical members keep pushing extreme ideas online.
- Even their youth wing was recently accused of racism.
Will It Work?
- Goal: Win the 2029 election (they’re just 4% behind conservatives).
- Obstacle: Every other party says “we’ll never govern with the AfD.”
- Risk: If they’re too radical → BAN. Too soft → lose hardcore fans.
Key Quote (from Reuters):
“The word ‘remigration’ became toxic. Now they’re avoiding it to survive.” — AfD insider.
Why This Matters
Germany’s far-right is at a crossroads: Pretend to play nice, or double down on extremism? With a possible ban looming, this could reshape Europe’s politics.
Source: Reuters – For the full investigation,
https://www.reuters.com/world/isolated-fearing-ban-germanys-far-right-tones-down-rhetoric-2025-07-11