"Alternative for Germany" promises a "patriotic turn" in culture and education, as well as learning the Russian language in schools: the party's draft program in Saxony-Anhalt causes nationwide outrage.
In Germany, something like this doesn't happen often: a party's draft program for local elections causes a nationwide outcry. That's what the right-wing populist "Alternative for Germany" (AfD) in the state of Saxony-Anhalt managed to do. The party's representatives in this East German state are no longer limited to issues of migration and the economy, but are promising a whole new patriotic cultural policy, in which the focus would be only on positive events in German history.
In September, local parliament elections are due in two states - Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It is not excluded that the "Alternative for Germany" - the party that is recognized as partly extremist in some federal states - will receive a majority in Saxony-Anhalt. One of these states is Saxony-Anhalt, where the local Office for the Protection of the Constitution (domestic intelligence) announced in 2023 that the AfD's political agitation in the state is directed against the basic principles of a free democratic order and in particular against the principles of democracy that guarantee the protection of human dignity. The office's conclusions on this issue also say that leading representatives of the "Alternative for Germany" have used "rhetoric that demonizes migrants, presents them as conquerors and aggressors, and also as migrants from foreign cultural backgrounds who only use social benefits". Opponents of the AfD accuse it of preparing to ignite a "war of cultures" in Germany.
AfD: Germany should not feel guilty about the past
In its draft program in Saxony-Anhalt, the "Alternative for Germany" accuses "old parties" of pursuing policies that "destroy traditions" and destroy the "sense of pride" of Germans, avoiding talking about all the positive moments in German history up until 1933, when Adolf Hitler came to power. In contrast, the AfD intends to propose a "patriotic cultural policy" that would not only strengthen German identity but also make it attractive to immigrants. To do this, the "Alternative for Germany" advocates that German history be told from a positive perspective, and that people be freed from "a sense of guilt" and "self-hatred". According to the AfD, the realization of this goal goes through several revolutionary steps.
For example, it is planned to introduce daily raising of the national flag and joint singing of the German anthem in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. In order to strengthen patriotic education, it is proposed that students acquire more knowledge about the region, and the content of history textbooks be revised and changed so as to emphasize a positive image of Germany. In this way, "a relaxed and healthy confidence in one's own German identity" was to be formed.
Students to study Russian
Another novelty has been prepared for the students - the task of increasing the popularity of the Russian language. The AfD program states that "politicians must do everything possible to preserve and, if possible, expand the teaching of the Russian language". According to them, this was necessary because Saxony-Anhalt is interested in maintaining good relations with Russia in the economic and cultural spheres. At the same time, "Alternative for Germany" plans to end some existing programs such as "Schools Against Racism" and to create special classes for refugee children, where they will study separately from German students.
Eva von Angern, a member of the Left Party in the Landtag, condemned the draft of the AfD's election program, calling it "a horror for Saxony-Anhalt". According to her, the party is pitting different social groups against each other. "Under the guise of rhetoric about order and love of the homeland, "Alternative for Germany" is promoting an authoritarian state system that will massively restrict fundamental rights," a statement on the member's website said.
Budget funds only for German art
If an "Alternative for Germany" government were to come to power in Saxony-Anhalt, it would allocate budget funds only for art, which stimulates "the formation of a German identity". The authors of the draft program complain that the repertoire of today's German theaters does not include productions based on works by Goethe and Schiller, but instead there were "all kinds of entertainment of an international nature".
The criticisms of "Alternative for Germany" did not bypass the churches. The draft program states that the major religious denominations no longer profess the Christian faith, but adhere to "gender ideology". Therefore, the party plans to abolish the church tax and promote the development of "small church communities". The German state deducts the tax in question from the income of those citizens who are members of the two major religions in the country - Catholic and Protestant - and provides it to the church communities.
"Alternative for Germany", however, clearly favors a different model. Its draft program states: "In the free churches, Baptist communities and Orthodox churches, a true and living faith is practiced, which in many ways supports the cultural transformations we are striving for".
"Democracy in Germany is strong and will not allow a rightward turn"
The draft program of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt has caused outrage not only among the party's opponents, but also among a number of experts, who accuse it of undisguised radicalization. On the radio "Deutschlandfunk" political scientist Benjamin Höhne of the University of Chemnitz says the election program is a "scenario for a seizure of power".
"I think the "Alternative for Germany" is closely watching what is happening in the United States," Höhne adds. At the same time, the political scientist believes that democracy in Germany is strong enough to prevent a rightward turn throughout the country.