What Is Going On In Germany?

In case you're wondering who the AFD is, they're the neo-Nazi political party in Germany that Elon Musk addressed via video conferencing earlier this year. You know, right after making global headlines buzz for his two consecutive Nazi salutes on Trump's inauguration podium in January.

But who is the AFD, and what are their chances of taking over Germany in the next German elections?

Let's take a look.

I've often said that where a democracy tolerates the existence and participation of right wing political parties that oppose the very existence of that democracy in the first place, it is creating an environment where the seeds for its own destruction are allowed to thrive.

Since the fall of the Nazis at the end of WW2, Germany has followed a strict anti-fascist or ant-Nazi policy which to some extent has intruded into German society. Symbolism of the Nazis is allowed in museums and in the context of historicity and education, but not in any way, shape, or form in a context which may be seen to glorify Nazi principles or Nazism in general. If Elon Musk had thrown his two Nazi salutes in Germany in January, for example, he would've been arrested and criminally charged for his trouble.

And yet, in spite of Germans being educated in various programs throughout the past 70 years about what the cancer of fascsim is and does - and resulted in - and would result in again, there is still nevertheless a far-right extremist German nationalist political party in Germany to this very day.

It's called the AFD, and it enjoys the support of the wealthiest billionaire sycophant and ardent neo-Nazi on the planet.

What is the AFD's current status in German government and politics?

The Alternative for Germany (AfD), a far-right party founded in 2013, is gaining influence in German politics as the country approaches a snap federal election on February 23 1 3. This election was triggered by the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left coalition government in November 1 3 5.

Key Points on the AfD's Current Status:

Rising Popularity: The AfD is experiencing a surge in support, driven by voter discontent with mainstream parties and concerns about issues like migration, the Ukraine war, and rising living costs 1. Recent surveys suggest the AfD is positioned to secure second place in the upcoming election 1.

Electoral Prospects: The AfD appears to be heading for its strongest national election result yet 2 7. Experts suggest that the AfD, once considered a fringe group, is on track for its most significant electoral gains in its 12-year existence 1.

Shift in Political Dynamics: A notable shift occurred when CDU leader Friedrich Merz introduced a motion for stricter migration regulations that received support from the AfD 1. This move has been criticized as dismantling a long-standing barrier among major political parties against cooperating with the far-right 1.

AfD's Platform: The AfD advocates for stricter immigration policies, including large-scale deportations of people with no legal right to be in Germany 1 2. The party also calls for lifting sanctions against Russia and opposes weapon deliveries to Ukraine 2 3. They want Germany to reintroduce a national currency and transform the European Union into a looser association 2.

Extremist Ties and Monitoring: Several branches of the AfD have been officially designated as "right-wing extremists" by intelligence agencies 1 2. Germany's domestic intelligence agency has the party under observation for suspected right-wing extremism 2.

"Remigration" Stance: Alice Weidel, AfD’s first candidate for chancellor, supports "remigration," which refers to the mass deportation of immigrants 2 3.

Governmental Crisis: The AfD has called for Chancellor Olaf Scholz to face a vote of no confidence and demanded new elections 6.

Factors Contributing to AfD's rise: Political sociologist Ulf Bohmann says that the AfD exploits social anxieties and uses "agitation" tactics, without offering real solutions 8. Germany is dealing with numerous flagship companies announcing restructuring plans 5.

CDU's Stance: Friedrich Merz wants to reduce government social spending on migration and family policy 5. He also promised to strengthen internal security by ordering ‘controls at all national borders’, to tighten up migration policy and asylum procedures and is favourable to outsourcing asylum applications to third countries 5.

Considering Germany's harsh stance against neo-Nazis, why is the AFD being allowed to register as a political party in Germany?

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is a far-right, right-wing populist party in Germany 1. While Germany has a firm stance against neo-Nazism, the AfD's registration as a political party is permitted because, despite being classified as a "suspected extremist" organization by Germany's domestic intelligence agency 1, it has STILL not been formally banned 1 3.

My most pertinent question - taking into consideration Elon Musk's appearance at their most recent rally - is WHY THE FUCK NOT????!!!

Here's a breakdown of why Germany still hasn't banned the AFD:

Founding and Platform: The AfD was founded in 2013 initially as a Eurosceptic party 2 3 4. Over time, it has shifted towards a nationalist, anti-immigrant, and anti-Islam agenda 2. Their platform includes preventing refugees from coming to Germany, deporting asylum seekers whose applications are rejected, and prioritizing "traditional" German culture 2.

"Suspected Extremist": Germany’s domestic intelligence agency has classified the AfD as a "suspected extremist organization" 1 3. This allows the agency to use informants and surveillance to monitor the party 3. Some state-level offices have classified the AfD as extremist 3.

Not Banned: Despite these classifications and concerns, the AfD has not been banned as a political party 1 3. In 2022, a lawsuit by the AfD against this classification was dismissed, with the court stating that there was sufficient factual evidence of anti-constitutional efforts within the AfD 1.

Controversial Figures and Statements: Some AfD leaders have made antisemitic, anti-Muslim, and anti-democratic statements 3. Björn Höcke, a leader in Thuringia, was fined for using a banned Nazi slogan 3.

Party Finance: Germany's political parties are financed through a combination of public funding, membership fees, and donations 6.

What would it take for Germany to ban the AFD from participating as a political party?

For Germany to ban the Alternative for Germany (AfD) from participating as a political party, several conditions and legal procedures would need to be met 2 3.

Legal Grounds and Process:

Constitutional Requirements: According to Article 21 of the Basic Law (Germany's constitution), a political party can be banned if, based on its aims or the behavior of its members, it seeks to undermine or abolish the free democratic basic order or endanger the existence of the Federal Republic of Germany 3.

Actively Belligerent Stance: The party must take an actively belligerent and aggressive stance against the free democratic basic order and seek to abolish it 3. The mere dissemination of anti-constitutional ideas is not sufficient grounds for a ban 3.

Potential to Achieve Aims: There must be specific indications suggesting that it is at least possible that the party will achieve its anti-constitutional aims 3. In 2017, a second criterion called "potentiality" was created, meaning the party in question must have the potential to actually implement its anti-democratic objectives to qualify for prohibition 2. A party that is "entirely unlikely" to undermine democracy does not meet this criterion 2. Factors to determine "potentiality" include the party's performance in public polling, representation in elected offices, and resources 2.

Who Can Initiate Proceedings: The Bundestag (parliament), the Bundesrat (Federal Council), or the Federal Government can apply to the Federal Constitutional Court to ban a political party 3 4.

Decision by the Federal Constitutional Court: The Federal Constitutional Court initiates an inquiry and makes a ruling 2. A prohibition requires a two-thirds majority of the court's justices 2.

Philosophical Basis: The constitutional order is based on streitbare Demokratie ("militant democracy"), allowing the state to suppress freedoms to ensure the perpetuity of democratic governance 2.

Appeal to the ECHR: Party prohibitions can be appealed to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) 2. The ECHR has a standard where a political party can only be prohibited if its leaders or members have made speeches, publications, or other acts that advocate a vision "incompatible with the concept of a democratic society" 2. There must also be "plausible evidence" of an "imminent threat" to democracy if the party's continued existence is allowed 2.

Consequences of a Ban:

Prohibition of Symbols and Assets: A prohibited party has its symbols and logos banned from sale or public display and becomes ineligible for public campaign financing 2. New organizations are disallowed from forming under its name, and its assets are confiscated 2.

The last time a political party was banned in Germany was during the Cold War 1.

Considering the length of time before the election, I'd say Germany is simply out of time if they wished to take action to prevent Nazis from running in the coming election, with the potential of them actually winning this time round.

The time for action was last year. Or the year before - or back when the AFD first became a "suspected extremist organization".

Conclusion

And so there you have it. Now you know who the AFD is and what they're about.

The next German general election is in less than 10 days time (23 February) - and although the biggest neo-Nazi party in Germany is listed and treated as a "suspected extremist organization" - no apparent steps have been taken to ban this openly virulent gaggle of fascists, who likely have financial support from the wealthiest billionaire parasite on the planet in the shape of Elon Musk, just as the US Republican Party (GOP) had in their 2024 elections.

Thus, a party that has voiced the intentions of undermining the very democratic system it would be expected to protect and represent upon election to power, would be free to destroy that same system - just as Trump, Musk and the "GOP" are doing right now in the USA.

The problem with democracy is, that if a party appears on the ballot paper - and no matter how evil, twisted or malicious that party may be, you can bet dollars to donuts, someone will vote for it.

After all, you may have forgotten that Hitler and the Nazi Party were elected back in 1933.

Of course, just because an openly Nazi party is allowed to participate in democratic elections, doesn't automatically mean that they will win. They might make enough gains to force the creation of a coalition goverment in which they have a voice, which is bad enough. But they might even win outright - and that's the entire fucking point.

They should never be allowed there in the first place.

What do those in charge of German democracy today imagine what would happen if they did win?

Thus, in closing, I will answer the question, "what are the AFD's chances of taking over Germany in the next elections?"

It looks pretty straight-forward, doesn't it?

I'd say the chances are terrifyingly good in fact.