The largest far-right contingent in Germany’s Bundestag since World War II is set to take office as the new parliament convenes, following the February 23 election. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured 152 seats, doubling its previous representation and achieving the strongest performance by a far-right party in decades. Economic struggles, ongoing recession, and concerns over Russia’s war in Ukraine contributed to the AfD’s surge, narrowing the gap between them and the election-winning conservatives.
The new AfD lawmakers include controversial figures such as Maximilian Krah, who was previously excluded from the European Parliament over pro-SS remarks, and Mathias Helferich, who once referred to himself as “the friendly face of the Nazis.” The party, originally founded as an anti-euro movement, has shifted further to the nationalist right, advocating anti-immigration policies, support for Russia, and the dissolution of the European Union. Despite falling short of the 25% needed to set up parliamentary inquiries, its strong presence will influence political discourse and challenge the mainstream parties.
As the political landscape shifts, conservative leader Friedrich Merz faces challenges in forming a coalition with the Social Democrats and the Greens, with recent compromises weakening his standing. Meanwhile, the traditional political firewall against cooperation with the AfD is showing cracks, with court rulings ensuring their participation in parliamentary activities. While many lawmakers continue to shun AfD members, others argue that engagement, rather than isolation, is necessary in Germany’s evolving political climate.
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