Katrin Ebner-Steiner, who serves as the factions leader for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Bavaria, is set to visit the United States before the upcoming municipal elections in Bavaria. Her trip is organized through an invitation from a group connected to the MAGA movement associated with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Along with five other AfD representatives, Ebner-Steiner is scheduled to participate in a two-day summit of the 'Alliance of Sovereign Nations' in Washington, where the primary agenda is expected to center around the notion of 'national identity'.

This visit has sparked significant discussions within the AfD ranks, with critical voices questioning the appropriateness and potential implications of engaging with U.S. political factions, especially those closely associated with Trump. The timing of this trip, just before local elections, raises concerns about electoral strategies and the influence of far-right political ideologies on Bavarian politics. Critics within the party argue that such international engagements might not resonate positively with local constituents.

The summit itself presents a platform for exploring themes of nationalism and sovereignty, which are pivotal to both the MAGA movement and the AfD's political messaging. Ebner-Steiner's participation may bolster her visibility on the national stage, but it also risks aligning the party more closely with controversial U.S. politics that could either motivate or alienate their voter base, particularly amid a politically sensitive election period in Germany.