*In an effort to counter its far-right label, the AfD is softening its rhetoric while remaining committed to its core policies, aiming to resonate with Western German voters.*
**Far-Right AfD Party Adapts Tactics to Gain Ground in Western Germany**
**Far-Right AfD Party Adapts Tactics to Gain Ground in Western Germany**
*The Alternative for Germany seeks to broaden its support base beyond the Eastern regions amid rising tensions over immigration.*
In Duisburg, a city historically known for its steel industry, a member of the City Council, Alan Imamura, now finds himself engaging with constituents in an area that previously cast him aside. Once regarded with hostility due to his affiliation with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) — a far-right party classified as extremist by Germany's domestic intelligence — Imamura's experiences highlight the party's changing fortunes in Western Germany.
Recent federal elections revealed a surprising surge in support for the AfD, particularly in neighborhoods of Imamura's district, where they approached nearly 40 percent of the vote. "It’s so different," commented Imamura. "You would not imagine, five years ago — when I put up some posters, people spat on me. And today the people, they say, ‘Finally.’”
While the AfD originated about a decade ago as a Euro-skeptic movement, it has evolved into a party with a strong anti-immigrant stance, leading to its designation as extremist. A confidential report from Germany's domestic intelligence examined the party's leadership and identified a deeply rooted xenophobic ideology. Notably, leaders like Bjorn Höcke have invoked Nazi-era rhetoric and advocated for aggressive deportation policies, perpetuating fears associated with the party.
As the AfD attempts to reshape its image to appeal to a wider audience, the challenge remains whether it can balance a more palatable message with its unwavering commitment to policies that resonate with its base while potentially alienating moderate voters. The unfolding dynamics in Duisburg and beyond may serve as a crucial test for the AfD’s ambitions on a national scale in the coming years.
Recent federal elections revealed a surprising surge in support for the AfD, particularly in neighborhoods of Imamura's district, where they approached nearly 40 percent of the vote. "It’s so different," commented Imamura. "You would not imagine, five years ago — when I put up some posters, people spat on me. And today the people, they say, ‘Finally.’”
While the AfD originated about a decade ago as a Euro-skeptic movement, it has evolved into a party with a strong anti-immigrant stance, leading to its designation as extremist. A confidential report from Germany's domestic intelligence examined the party's leadership and identified a deeply rooted xenophobic ideology. Notably, leaders like Bjorn Höcke have invoked Nazi-era rhetoric and advocated for aggressive deportation policies, perpetuating fears associated with the party.
As the AfD attempts to reshape its image to appeal to a wider audience, the challenge remains whether it can balance a more palatable message with its unwavering commitment to policies that resonate with its base while potentially alienating moderate voters. The unfolding dynamics in Duisburg and beyond may serve as a crucial test for the AfD’s ambitions on a national scale in the coming years.
