'This can't be ignored' – why Germany's far right has gone mainstream

Alternative for Germany, the AfD, has won a regional election in Germany for the first time since World War II. The party was founded in 2013 on an anti-migration and eurosceptic agenda, but this is the first time they’ve won the most seats in a German state parliament.

What does their win mean for Germany? Has the far right gone mainstream? Will rival parties try to exclude them for power? Lisa Haseldine, The Spectator’s assistant online editor, is joined by historian and journalist Katja Hoyer, and Berlin-based journalist Constantin Eckner.

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[charlesbeltington-smythe]

Could it possibly be a reaction to all the damage done to Germany by the far-left? 🤔

[stephfoxwell]

Reasonable risk aversion about mass immigration is not Far Right.

[johannabarry]

bored of 'far-right'. It is a completely overused meaningless accusation.

[AngryBootneck]

If the conservatives had merely been slightly conservative for the last ten years an alternative wouldnt be needed.

[freespeech]

I recon 95% are what keeps being called far right, it’s being used incorrectly, we are all patriotic and conservative but terms like this attempt to silence us

[DropdudeJohn]

Standing up for your own people in your own country is not far right, its common sense

[bri_____]

They’re not far right.
They’re just correct.

[alvanrigby]

As soon as they use the term "far right" you know where they are coming from.

[KonigGustavAdolph]

Having borders is "Far-Right" 🙄

[zoso]

Far right my arse. Spectator towing the MSN narrative and embarrassing themselves.

[WhydoIsuddenlyhaveahandle]

"Far right" in the media simply means "not a marxist"

[IainFrame]

They're only "far right" if you're looking at it from the far left.

[FraserBailey-jmyz]

Katja talks about 'foreign workers for German industry'. Germany is rapidly de-industrialising with even VW now talking about closing plants. Germany does not need any more workers.

[jeperstone]

Please explain what the 'far right' means. Everybody keeps using the term but nobody knows what it is. Lazy journalism better suited to a student rag

[SNTRY]

The "far right" didn't "go mainstream", the mainstream have just been labelled "far right"

[occamsshavecream]

I continue to be shocked by the elitist attitude the bubbles to the surface when I discuss this with friends in Germany. The country has atoned for its sins and does not have to destroy itself by unbridled immigration by some who hate the West.

[jtchivers]

"The party was founded in 2013 on an anti-migration and eurosceptic agenda, but this is the first time they’ve won the most seats in a German state parliament."

Yes, this doesn't really sound like what any sane person would reasonably call "far right" and individuals spouting slogans who happen to support the party don't define party policy either. Otherwise, we should play the same game for all parties.

There's an easy way of testing to what extent the AfD reflects Nazism in its policies and that's to what extent its policies mirror those of the Nazi party. So, to what extent does it explicitly peddle racial theories akin to Nazism? To what extent does it propose that Europe should be 'judenrein'? To what extent does it advocate the socialist policies of National Socialism - "Gleichschaltung" of industries and trade unions, state ownership, economic planning, centralisation, welfare programmes, labour programmes, and yes… anti-capitalism?

A simple desire to return to the levels of immigration which were common until the last couple of decades or even to propose the repatriation of those who are not net contributors, commit crimes, or do not attempt to integrate, and have no valid claim to asylum does not a party Nazi make.

[lindaa]

Far right? Really?
I'm not watching this .

[SimonWallwork]

NOT 'far right'. Just NOT Loony left!

[cathbadmusic]

Unlike these bozos from The Spectator, I've actually bothered to talk to an AfD representative and ask what his policies were. He concentrated exclusively on positive messages: promotion of German culture, support for families, wider and better career opportunities for the young, action on affordable housing, easing the bureaucratic burdens on business, investing in infrastructure etc etc. And, crucially, welcoming people to Germany who appreciate their culture and would like to participate.