How to stop the rise?

Swiss newspaper demands: “Let the AfD join the government”

Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel feel comfortable in their outsider role.

(Bild: APA/dpa/Sebastian Kahnert)

In the fall, the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany could become the strongest party in three eastern German states. Even the recent revelations about far-right meetings, including "remigration plans", in which party members were also involved, could not significantly weaken the AfD. The policy of exclusion does not appear to be bearing fruit. For this reason, the head of Germany at the "Neue Zürcher Zeitung" suggests in a commentary that the AfD should be allowed to join the government - triggering a fierce debate.

In his commentary, Marc Felix Serrao criticizes the fact that the party of Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla is not portrayed by the media and established parties as a normal political party, but as a "threat to democracy". For this reason, members and staff are labeled as anti-democrats, fascists and Nazis. In many places, there are warnings of a return to the darkest times in German history should the AfD actually come to power.

Protests and debate about a ban procedure

(Bild: AFP)

"AfD is not a Nazi party"
However, Serrao finds comparisons with the NSDAP historically extremely inappropriate, because: "It makes a difference whether a party declares the crimes of National Socialism to be a 'bird's-eye view' of German history or whether it committed these crimes." Although the AfD is illiberal and aggressive, it is not a "Nazi party". According to the journalist, the noticeable rise in anti-Semitism in Germany is not due to AfD politicians, but rather to the mass immigration from countries where anti-Semitism is "part of good manners".

"The role of the outsider is not a punishment"
According to the correspondent, exclusion and panic lead less to a defensive democracy and more to further division - which in turn benefits the AfD. "The role of the outsider is not a punishment, but a gift," says Serrao, who therefore suggests: "Let them co-govern!" Then the party could prove whether it can solve the problems it denounces. The "NZZ" journalist cites Sweden, Finland and Denmark as examples where right-wing populist parties have been disenchanted in the course of such a role reversal.

Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel feel comfortable in their outsider role.

(Bild: APA/dpa/Sebastian Kahnert)

The commentary has spread like wildfire on social media and stirred up a lot of dust. Many are rather reserved about the "experiment", as Green Party politician Peter Heilrath put it in a response on Platform X: "No thanks, we've been there before."

As counter-examples to Scandinavia, one user cites Hungary and Poland, where damage has been done that is difficult to reverse - not least to the rule of law. Serrao is even attacked personally for his comment. Author Stephan Anpalagan writes on X: "I'm just glad that the AfD's friends are no longer hiding, but are now openly revealing themselves."