The Federal Republic of Germany is today one of the most distinct and stable Western democracies. Following the events of WWII, and the horrors of the Holocaust, German legislators have prioritized safeguarding liberal democracy from negative influences and ensuring its resilience.
The new German Republic, established after the war, was designed to prevent the far right from ever regaining a leadership position through democratic means. As a result, Germany is often referred to as a "militant democracy" (wehrhafte Demokratie), in which central political institutions are granted executive power and tasked with defending the liberal democratic order. Notably, social groups – including political parties and associations – that are deemed "hostile" to liberal democracy are subject to disqualification and prohibition.
In general, civil rights and political freedoms are well-preserved in contemporary Germany. The country upholds extensive and detailed anti-discrimination laws, and its courts effectively oversee the actions of the executive branch.
At the heart of Germany's Basic Law (Grundgesetz) is the principle of the rule of law and the protection of fundamental individual rights. The words of Konrad Adenauer, President of the Parliamentary Council (1948-1949), served as an inspiration to the drafters of the Basic Law and became the guiding principle of the German constitution: "Democracy is more than a parliamentary form of government. It is a philosophy of life (Weltanschauung) based on the recognition of the dignity, worth, and inalienable rights of every person. A true democracy must respect these rights and the value of every individual in all aspects of life – political, economic, and cultural."
The establishment of the Federal Constitutional Court in 1951 provided individuals, groups, and organizations with a mechanism to challenge the exercise of state power. The Federal Law for the Protection of the Constitution was enacted to safeguard German liberal democracy, as well as the existence and security of both the federal government and its constituent states.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Das Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz – BfV) is Germany's federal agency for internal security, responsible for surveillance and intelligence gathering. Founded in 1950, its initial mandate was to monitor East German spies and counter Soviet espionage in West Germany. The agency operates under the authority of the German Chancellor and serves as the executive arm of the Federal Ministry of the Interior for Building and Community Affairs. Originally headquartered in Cologne, it has since been relocated to Berlin. The agency employs approximately 3,000 personnel. Each of Germany's 16 federal states has its own state-level office for constitutional protection. However, these agencies are generally not authorized to conduct surveillance on individuals or collect personal information. Unlike police agencies, BfV agents lack arrest powers and cannot search homes or order police action.
In Germany, the disqualification of political parties is governed by Article 21.2 of the Basic Law: "[Extreme] parties which, by their aims or the conduct of their supporters, seek to undermine the free basic democratic order, or to abolish it, or to endanger the existence of the Federal Republic of Germany, shall be unconstitutional." Only the Federal Constitutional Court has the authority to declare a political party unconstitutional – a power that has been exercised only twice in Germany's history. Additionally, extremist associations may be banned if they violate the law, threaten the constitutional order, or oppose the principle of international understanding. Unlike political parties, the prohibition of extremist associations does not require a ruling by the Constitutional Court; a decision by the Federal Administrative Court suffices.
In Germany, "extreme movements" are defined as those whose explicit or implicit objectives include dismantling the liberal democratic order and replacing it with an ideology-driven system. These movements are often associated with violence, either advocating or employing violent means to achieve their goals. Activities that involve violence – or the intent to use violence – to jeopardize Germany's foreign interests or undermine international peace and cooperation are also considered extremist.
Violence is an inherent characteristic of extremism, manifesting in various forms, from spontaneous attacks on political opponents or immigrants to premeditated terrorist attacks aimed at instilling fear. Recent attacks in Germany have frequently involved firearms. Extremists fundamentally oppose the basic and human rights enshrined in the Basic Law, such as freedom of expression. They also reject core democratic principles – including popular sovereignty and judicial independence.
Germany's far-right extremist movements include groups such as the Nationaldemokratische Partei Deutschlands (NPD, National Democratic Party of Germany), Die Rechte (The Right), and Der III. Weg (The Third Way). Additionally, neo-Nazi factions, such as Freie Kameradschaften (Free Brotherhood), are categorized within this spectrum. The NPD, a recognized neo-Nazi party, has never succeeded in securing a seat in the Bundestag, the German federal parliament.
Alternative for Germany
An intriguing case study is the Alternative for Germany (Alternative für Deutschland – AfD) party, which will be the focus of the discussion here.
Founded in 2013, the Alternative for Germany is the first populist, radical right-wing party in the country's history. Since its inception, it has sparked significant controversy – particularly when it called on Germans to stop feeling guilty about the nation's Nazi past.
One of the party's founders and a prominent figure in the state of Brandenburg, Alexander Gauland, has played a crucial role in shaping its ideology. Gauland – who holds a doctorate in political science and has a background as a lawyer, journalist, and politician – went so far as to describe the Nazi regime as merely a "bird dropping stain" on German history.
The party has undergone significant internal struggles, with most of its previous leaders being ousted by members of its more extreme wing. This faction has played a decisive role in shaping the party's anti-immigration policies, largely in response to former Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to allow more than a million asylum seekers into Germany.
Alice Weidel (born 1979 in East Germany) made her political debut in 2013 when she joined the AfD, which was then a Eurosceptic party (adhering to a political position involving criticism of the European Union and European integration). Her economic liberalism and contempt for bureaucratic inefficiencies aligned with the party's then-current emphasis on promoting economic restraint, national sovereignty, and hostility to the European Union's bailout measures.
In the 2013 federal elections, with 4.7% of the vote, the AfD just missed the 5% barrier needed to be represented in the Bundestag.
In the 2014 European Parliament elections, the party gained seven members, marking its first legislative victory.
In 2015, the AfD underwent a sea change because of the refugee crisis. The party took advantage of the crisis by changing its platform from Euroscepticism to a more populist one that prioritized border security, anti-immigration rhetoric, and criticism of Merkel's policies. The national-conservative politician Frauke Petry (who chaired the party from July 2015 to September 2017) completely adopted anti-immigration and anti-Islamic rhetoric.
In the 2016 general elections, the AfD saw significant gains in several German states.
In April 2017, Weidel was elected to co-lead the (male-dominated) political party, alongside Gauland. Following the election, Weidel took on the role of co-chair of the party's parliamentary faction in the Bundestag.
In the general elections of late September 2017, the Alternative for Germany, under Gauland's leadership, emerged as the third-largest party in Germany, and made its maiden appearance in the Bundestag with 12.6% of the vote.
By 2019, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution announced that it would begin monitoring the AfD, citing concerns over its extremist tendencies. The primary focus of this scrutiny was the party’s nationalist faction, known as "The Wing" (Der Flügel).
Led by Björn Höcke, "The Wing" developed close ties to neo-Nazi elements and engaged in activities deemed to be in direct violation of the German constitution. Though the faction officially disbanded in March 2021, many of its estimated 7,000 members remained politically active within the Alternative for Germany [see the Israeli leak of activists from the "Kach" party to legitimate parties].
For the first time since WWII, a German political party was placed under surveillance by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. This move marked one of the most dramatic measures taken by a Western democracy to safeguard itself against the rise of far-right extremism – an approach often referred to as "defensive democracy" or, originally in German, "militant democracy."
An official announcement of government surveillance over a political party can significantly impact its public standing, influencing both official membership and voter support. This is why some right-wing parties are cautious about being labeled as "extremist." They often strategically position themselves in a gray area between right-wing extremism and national conservatism [see in the Israeli case, the "Likud" party]. To insulate themselves from accusations of extremism, these parties adopt coded language – phrasing their messages in ways that subtly convey radical views while maintaining a veneer of acceptability [see in the Israeli case "Otzma Yehudit" party].
However, there are occasions when party leaders or activists push beyond these carefully maintained boundaries and make statements that are explicitly extremist in nature [see in the Israeli case "Erase Huwara;" "Want to see Huwara burned and closed"].
When such incidents occur, the typical response is to claim that the remarks were taken out of context or that they were simply a case of "poor word choice." While such statements rarely lead to tangible consequences for those who make them, they often serve a strategic purpose – signaling to far-right supporters where the party truly stands ideologically.
The decision to monitor the party – which followed a two-year investigation and a report containing more than a thousand pages of evidence – allowed the office to listen to phone calls, tap other media outlets, and track the movements of party members. The party appealed the unprecedented move but lost.
In November 2019, Tino Chrupalla – a politician and member of the Bundestag since 2017 – was elected co-chair of the Alternative for Germany party, alongside Alice Weidel.
In March 2022, the Cologne Administrative Court upheld the Office for the Protection of the Constitution's assessment of unconstitutional activity. The judge ruled that the party could be classified as a "suspicious entity," and that the office was allowed to monitor its activists. Concerns were raised over growing radicalization, particularly among young activists. The president of the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution Thomas Haldenwang, stated that the party advocates racism and the expulsion of immigrants, and opposes the humiliation of the German nation.
The "wing" officially ceased operations in the spring of 2020, after the "Federal Agency for the Protection of the Constitution" defined it, in March 2020, as a body "with extreme right-wing positions that go against the free democratic order in the country," and began monitoring its activists, who were seen as "a danger to democracy" [see in the Israeli case the Lehava movement, led by Benzi Gopstein, against which such an official step has not yet been taken].
Alice Weidel has served, since late November 2019, as acting chairperson of the party. From February 2020 to July 2022 – as chairperson of the party in the state of Baden-Württemberg.
In late September 2021, the party won the elections with 10.3 percent of the vote. 79 of its members sat in the German parliament (Bundestag), for the second time after 2017 (when it won 12.6 percent of the vote), and in almost every state legislature.
The AfD posted its biggest wins in the former East Germany, where young people have been moving away from former industrial regions and rural areas to seek opportunities in cities.
In June 2023, the party's candidate won a decisive round of elections in Thuringia in eastern Germany, the capital of the state of Thuringia – one of the 16 states that make up Germany.
In September 2024, the Alternative for Germany party won most of the vote in elections held in Thuringia, the capital of the state of Thuringia, for the first time since the end of WWII. Furthermore, the party came in second place in elections held in the state of Saxony, also located in eastern Germany.
In November 2024, Chancellor Olaf Schulz announced that he would submit a motion of no confidence to the Bundestag. On January 15, 2025.
In mid-January 2025, Weidel was elected as her party's candidate for chancellor in the German federal election, ahead of the February elections. Weidel, 46, is a politician and business consultant. She has worked, among others, at the banks Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse. During her studies, she spent time in China (where she earned her Ph.D. in the area of pension systems) and learned Mandarin.
The Christian Democratic Party won the election, recording a significant increase in its strength. Likewise, the Alternative for Germany party, which more than doubled its strength in the Bundestag. The Social Democratic Party lost about a third of its strength.
Following the results, the Christian Democratic Party received 28.5 percent of the vote (208 seats in the Bundestag). Alternative for Germany won 20.8 percent of the vote (152 seats).
Alternative and the Israeli context
Party status: Twelve years after the founding of Alternative for Germany – an unprecedented event in the German political landscape – the party has become an integral part of political life in the federation [see in the Israeli case "Otzma Yehudit"]. The party drew its voters from conservative and bourgeois circles in the west of the country. Today, most of its voters come from East Germany, and from economically depressed areas, where citizens are characterized by low education, a sense of socio-economic deprivation, and anger toward the "parties of the old system" These voters were irritated [as happened in Israel] by the rapid changes in society and culture, and therefore responded favorably to the patty's rhetoric and programs.
The steady radicalization of Alternative for Germany's positions has only increased its popularity. Despite this trend, its members have headed important committees of the legislature and have appeared extensively in the mass media [see in the Israeli "Otzma Yehudit" and "HaBayt Hayehudi"].
Positions of the party on Israel: In late April 2023, Alexander Gauland, leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, asserted that the Jewish community in Germany had no reason to fear his party. He stated, "We are not an anti-Semitic party, and we do not have an anti-Semitic program... I find it difficult to understand why the Jewish community would criticize a right-wing nationalist party."
In early January 2025, Gauland addressed the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, declaring that the official position of Alternative for Germany was one of support for Israel. "We must recognize the starting point: Israel was attacked in the most barbaric way. Anyone who beheads women or men renounces any right to tolerance." He further emphasized, "We stand firmly with Israel. I know that the establishment of Israel was not ideal by today's standards, but it is the only democracy in the Middle East and shares our values – not only in foreign policy, but in life itself." Gauland underscored Germany's historical responsibility, stating, "We have a moral obligation as Germans. After we murdered six million Jews, we must support the survivors who founded this state, because we killed their ancestors."
In mid-January 2025, following pressure from Elon Musk – who had posted on X (formerly Twitter) that "Alternative for Germany is the only party that can save the country" – Alice Weidel, co-leader of the party, publicly expressed unconditional support for Israel's right to exist and defend itself.
Reactions from the Left: Following local elections in early September 2024, the Israeli newspaper Davar reported, "For the first time since Hitler's rise to power, the far right has won regional elections in Germany: Alternative for Germany has secured victory." It was noted that this was the first time the party had won over a third of the votes and that, since the Nazi Party’s rise to power in 1933, no far-right party had won a free election in Germany. It elaborated that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz responded by urging all political parties to refuse any coalition with Alternative for Germany. Expressing his concerns over the party's growing influence, he stated, "Our country must not grow accustomed to this. Alternative for Germany is harming our nation – it weakens the economy, divides society, and damages our international reputation."
Before the last general election, in late February 2023, left-wing sources in Israel emphasized that "hundreds of thousands demonstrated across Germany against fascism," in reaction to increasing cooperation between the conservative bloc and the far right. This followed a controversial parliamentary vote in which the conservative party aligned with Alternative for Germany to pass a bill tightening immigration and asylum regulations. The vote marked a breaking of the traditional "firewall" (Brandmauer) that had previously isolated AfD from mainstream political collaboration [a development that had already occurred in other countries]. The conservative-backed law aimed at preventing illegal immigration passed by a narrow margin – 348 votes to 345 – thanks to AfD's support.
An opinion piece in Haaretz took a critical stance, declaring that "under the auspices of Musk and Trump, the Israeli government is training the new Nazis in Germany." The article claimed that "Israel's silence in the face of the far right, coupled with its defense of Musk, marks a crucial milestone in legitimizing Germany's far-right resurgence [just as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously did with the "Otzma Yehudit" party in Israel.]
Reactions from the Right: Following the release of exit polls, the Srugim news site headlined its report: "Germany's Elections: An Unprecedented Victory for the Right-Wing Parties." The article explained that "If the final results align with the exit polls, this marks a political upheaval in Germany, which, since WWII, has been predominantly left leaning. Now, the two largest parties in parliament – comprising nearly half of the seats – will be major right-wing factions, with a strong likelihood of forming a ruling coalition."
The Mida website also argued that Israel should proactively engage with parties like Alternative for Germany. "The longer Israel delays opening channels of communication with parties such as AfD, the weaker their interest in Israel will become," the article stated. It further noted that "nationalist politics prioritize the advancement of each country’s self-interest. If Israel does not make it clear that it is strategically important to other nations, its international standing will continue to erode – even if Trump remains a strong supporter of Israel for the next four years."
After the official results of the German general election were announced, right-wing media outlets enthusiastically celebrated the "amazing results," and the expectation that Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Party, would be elected as Germany's next Chancellor, replacing Olaf Scholz. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended his congratulations to the newly elected leader, stating, "Looking forward to working closely with the new government."
Right-wing media figures also emphasized Merz's strong pro-Israel stance, highlighting his "unwavering support" for the country. They noted that he had harshly criticized the Biden administration over its handling of military aid and had publicly declared that "Germany is committed to providing weapons to Israel without any conditions."
It is important to note that, in contrast to Meretz's firm stance, the Alternative for Germany party found itself embroiled in internal conflict over the issue of support for Israel. Following the Hamas attacks, the party's co-leader, Tino Chrupalla, expressed his "condolences to both sides" and advocated for an immediate ceasefire. During a debate held in December 2024, he directly criticized Chancellor Schulz, who had approved arms exports worth 150 million euros to Israel over the past year. "With the arms shipments you authorized for Israel, you are actively contributing to the killing on both sides. Rather than fostering de-escalation, you are exacerbating the situation by adding fuel to the fire," Chrupalla asserted. He further emphasized that Germany should cease supplying weapons to war zones, including Israel.
The emergence of Donald Trump and the worldwide populist wave has had a key impact in influencing the AfD's political rhetoric and approach. Channel 14 reported, in this context that "U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated the results of the German elections, calling it 'a great day,' and declaring that 'Germans are fed up with the illogical agenda'."
The Channel 7 website raised a provocative question in its headline: "After the Elections – Mass Deportation of Immigrants from Germany?" The article detailed a series of controversial policy proposals outlined by Alice Weidel, who had pledged that if her party achieved a significant victory and became part of the governing coalition, it would implement drastic measures. According to the report, Weidel vowed: "We will close Germany's borders for 100 days, deport immigrants regardless of their citizenship status, resume purchasing gas from Russia, withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, abolish the euro currency, and establish a new confederation of states in Germany." She further promised to "abandon the EU's asylum system for immigrants and dismiss professors of gender studies."
The article also referenced Björn Uwe Höcke, the party's leader in Thuringia, who is ideologically aligned with Weidel. It was noted that Weidel had already stated her intention to appoint him to a senior government position should she become Chancellor. Höcke has drawn repeated criticism for his past remarks, including referring to the Holocaust memorial in Berlin as a "monument of shame."
The ultra-Orthodox website Behadrei Haredim described the election outcome as "a huge achievement for the far-right party in Germany and a blow to the Chancellor – an outright victory for Israel-loving conservatives."
Conclusion: After the great admiration for the Hungarian model, the fascination with the American model, and perhaps the German one as well, is rising accordingly.
Apparently, the rise of the AfD is consistent with a larger pattern in Europe where far-right, nationalist, and populist groups have benefited from comparable concerns: national identity and immigration policy. (National identity is no less an issue in Israel). In Europe, many far-right parties have taken over national governments or joined ruling coalitions (as in Israel). However, the fate of the Alternative for Germany party will not necessarily be like that of the Kahanist Otzma Yehudit in Israel.
In Europe, many far-right parties have taken over national governments or joined ruling coalitions (as in Israel). However, the fate of the Alternative for Germany party will not necessarily be like that of the Kahanist Otzma Yehudit in Israel.
At the same time, an increasing number of European countries appear to be challenging what has long been considered a political taboo: cooperation between mainstream parties and far-right parties. In many cases, local government-level cooperation paves the way for their inclusion in national coalitions. As authoritarian populist parties gain more seats, efforts to boycott them may backfire on other parties. Such exclusionary policies seemingly reinforce the far-right's narrative that it represents the will of the people against the corrupt elites of the mainstream. Unlike the current situation in Germany, some leaders of other hardline countries on the continent are being forced to reconsider their positions, though they have not yet reached the point of forming formal coalitions with these parties.
After the election results were announced, Weidel was quick to declare that her party was open to coalition negotiations with Merz, and that it was ready to enter the government. "Our hand will always be extended to take part in the government, in order to realize the will of the people, the will of the state." She emphasized that "without such cooperation, no policy change will be possible in Germany."
On the contrary, mainstream parties, such as the conservative, CSU, the liberal FDP, the center-left SPD, and the Greens, have all decided to keep the AfD out of coalition talks since its ascent. The party and its members have been accused of racism, extremism, historical revisionism, and ties to neo-Nazi groups while portraying itself as a champion of free speech and national sovereignty.
At the national level, the AfD has also been deliberately barred from crucial parliamentary seats. The AfD has consistently been refused vice-presidential positions or committee chairmanships in the Bundestag, in contrast to other opposition parties that typically hold these positions. These steps have restricted its capacity to impact legislation beyond vocal opposition and symbolic demonstrations.
Merz, for his part, said a few days after his election that he was interested in forming a coalition with the Social Democrats, which finished the general elections in third place. He said, "The result of the Alternative for Germany is a signal to the democratic bloc to find common ground as soon as possible." The Chancellor-designate warned against the Alternative for Germany party, saying it is "a party that is not interested in solutions, and lives on the basis of problems."
Following a policy of cordon sanitaire (French: "sanitary cordon") – the refusal of the major political parties to cooperate with the AfD, because they perceived its strategies as unacceptable or extremist – the AfD is still politically isolated despite its electoral success, which has allowed it to gain representation in the Bundestag and each of the 16 state parliaments.
All in all, as apparent from the Israeli example, the future in Germany is not ascertained. In a possible coalition government by 2029, Weidel may find herself in the front of a new political period, when right-wing populism becomes an essential component of government, if her forecasts indeed come to pass and the AfD keeps expanding its political footprint.
Germany, a nation famed for its centrist politics and dedication to liberal democratic values and norms, would then see a significant change in its political landscape. A future administration led by the AfD may deviate from its post-war consensus and drive the nation towards more nationalist policies – hopefully not as extreme as that we experience in Israel today.
