"Remigration": Who Belongs to the People According to the AfD
The AfD party in Germany is facing scrutiny over its calls for "remigration," which many interpret as a push to return only those who are required to leave the country.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has been increasingly vocal about its support for a concept of "remigration," which they claim only targets individuals who are obligated to leave Germany. However, the term has broader implications and is often associated with more exclusionary ideologies. Amidst ongoing disputes regarding its classification as a far-right party, the AfD is attempting to distance itself from extremist views, particularly those linked to Martin Sellner, a prominent figure in the Identitarian Movement, whose remigration ideas have been deemed unconstitutional by Germany's Federal Administrative Court.
The AfD's leadership has made a resolution to avoid official events with Sellner, but this does not entirely exclude interactions between AfD members and Sellner, raising concerns over the party's true intentions regarding remigration. This ambivalence reflects a struggle within the party to balance electoral appeal with their extremist associations, amidst continuing legal challenges regarding their categorization by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
Ultimately, the discourse around remigration highlights the growing tensions in German politics regarding immigration and national identity. As the AfD seeks to consolidate its base, the implications of their remigration platform not only resonate with their supporters but also raise alarm among critics who fear it promotes divisive and exclusionary policies that clash with Germany's constitutional values.