AfD congress: Call for mass deportation stirs controversy
At the congress of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party in Greding, Bavaria, a resolution was adopted advocating the mass deportation of foreigners from Germany to their countries of origin. The document, prepared by the deputy head of the Bavarian branch of the party, also proposes the complete closure of German borders to asylum seekers.
During the party congress in Greding, over 500 AfD activists adopted the so-called "Bavarian Resolution on Remigration." The document, presented by Rainer Rothfuß, the vice-chairman of the regional party structures, calls for the mass deportation of foreigners currently living in Germany. Rothfuß argued in his speech that Germany cannot become "a hammock for the whole world," as reported by German media.
According to the adopted document, protection from war and persecution is to be guaranteed in accordance with international law, but not on German or European territory. The party demands that the federal government and the European Union establish protection and development zones outside of Europe. The programme of forced returns is to include not only those who have come into conflict with the law.
Observation by special services
The Bavarian AfD structures have been under observation by the local Office for the Protection of the Constitution since 2022 as an organisation potentially threatening the constitutional order. The party attempted to challenge this decision legally, but in July of last year, the administrative court in Munich dismissed its complaint, confirming there were grounds indicating activities aimed at undermining the constitutional order.
In its report, the Bavarian Office for the Protection of the Constitution notes that most of the AfD leadership in this region sympathises with the now-dissolved wing of the party centred around Björn Höcke, the leader of the party in Thuringia. An ongoing conflict exists within the party between the more moderate and radical wings, but the latter currently holds the advantage.
Controversies surrounding a young MP
During the congress, delegates were also tasked with electing a new party court, which deals, among other things, with procedures for excluding members from the party. This topic evokes particular emotions in the context of the case involving state parliament MP Daniel Halemba. The prosecutor in Würzburg has charged him, among other things, with inciting hatred. Although the federal AfD leadership demanded harsh sanctions, including exclusion from the party, the Bavarian party court opted for much milder measures.
The chairman of the Bavarian AfD sharply criticised the opposition work of the CDU and its leader Friedrich Merz during the congress. He accused them of unnecessarily endangering Germany by "declaring war" on Russian President Vladimir Putin. He asserted that only his party safeguards peace and freedom, while simultaneously calling for unity within the party ranks ahead of the Bundestag elections scheduled for 23 February.
