Far-Right Transnational Ties Exposed: AfD's Links to Austrian Extremists Spark Widespread Alarm
Berlin, Germany – A clandestine meeting in November 2023, involving high-ranking members of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and prominent Austrian extremists, has ignited a firestorm across Germany and raised urgent questions about the growing transnational nature of radical right-wing movements in Europe. The revelations, detailing discussions of a "master plan" for mass deportations, including those of naturalized German citizens, have prompted widespread public outrage, mass protests, and intensified scrutiny of the AfD's political agenda and its connections beyond national borders.
The investigative report by Correctiv, published in January 2024, brought to light a gathering at a hotel near Potsdam where AfD politicians convened with figures from the German and Austrian far-right, most notably Austrian Identitarian Movement leader Martin Sellner. The meeting reportedly focused on a concept termed "remigration" – a euphemism for the mass expulsion of asylum seekers, foreigners with residence permits, and "non-assimilated" German citizens to a proposed "model state" in North Africa. This disclosure sent shockwaves through the political landscape, drawing parallels to dark chapters of German history and challenging the democratic fabric of the nation.
The Potsdam Summit: A "Remigration" Blueprint
The November 25, 2023, meeting saw a mix of AfD officials and other far-right activists listening to Martin Sellner outline his controversial "master plan." Sellner, a key figure in the pan-European "New Right" and former head of the Austrian Identitarian Movement, presented a strategy advocating for the "relocation" of specific segments of the German populace. This plan envisioned exerting pressure through "tailor-made laws" to encourage these individuals to leave the country, with the ultimate goal of achieving ethno-cultural homogeneity. The proposed scheme, which could affect millions of people, particularly targeted those deemed "non-assimilated" regardless of their citizenship status.
Among the attendees from the AfD were individuals including Roland Hartwig, who served as a personal aide to AfD co-chair Alice Weidel at the time, and a member of the Bundestag, Gerrit Huy. The presence of such party figures, despite the AfD's subsequent attempts to distance itself from the meeting's content and claim attendees were acting in a "personal capacity," underscored the depth of the party's engagement with extremist ideologies. The report indicated that financial donors were also present, discussing funding for the implementation of such policies should the AfD gain power.
Ideological Crossroads: Shared Agendas and Historical Links
The concept of "remigration" is deeply rooted in far-right ideology, advocating for ethnic cleansing through the mass deportation of non-white minority populations. This term has been actively promoted by the Identitarian Movement, which preaches the superiority of European ethnic groups and champions the "great replacement" conspiracy theory. Sellner, a long-time proponent of this term, has been influential in attempting to normalize these extreme ideas within mainstream political discourse.
The connections between Germany's AfD and Austrian far-right entities are not new. Historically, the AfD announced a cooperation pact with the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) in February 2016. The FPÖ, described as the "spiritual successor to the Austrian Nazi parties" and established in 1956 by former Nazi party members, has long been a significant force in Austrian politics. Both parties have been members of right-wing European parliamentary groups, such as the Identity and Democracy (ID) group, signifying a shared commitment to anti-immigration, nationalistic, and Eurosceptic agendas. Notably, the FPÖ opposed the expulsion of the AfD from the ID group in May 2024, further highlighting their enduring alliance. This transnational network among radical right parties, characterized by anti-migration and nativist views, aims to reshape Europe from within.
Public Outcry and Political Repercussions
The revelations from the Correctiv report triggered an immediate and forceful backlash across Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the discussions, asserting that the government would protect all residents "regardless of origin, skin color or how uncomfortable someone is for fanatics with assimilation fantasies." The alleged "master plan" evoked chilling parallels to Nazi-era deportations, prompting widespread protests.
Tens of thousands, and at times hundreds of thousands, of citizens took to the streets in numerous German cities, demonstrating against the AfD and right-wing extremism. These demonstrations, often under slogans like "We are the Firewall," signaled a strong public rejection of the extremist proposals and a fervent defense of democratic values. The protests fueled calls from some quarters for a ban on the AfD, while German domestic intelligence agencies have already classified the party as a "confirmed right-wing extremist endeavor," enabling increased surveillance.
Furthermore, German authorities are actively considering an entry ban for Martin Sellner, deeming him a potential threat to Germany's democratic stability. This measure, if implemented, would represent a significant step in curtailing the influence of foreign extremists within Germany. In the wake of the scandal, both the AfD and FPÖ experienced a slight dip in their poll numbers, indicating that the exposure of their extreme policies may have resonated with a segment of the electorate.
A Continual Challenge to Democratic Norms
The recent revelations regarding the AfD's ties to Austrian far-right extremists, particularly the discussions surrounding mass deportations, underscore a persistent challenge to democratic norms in Germany and across Europe. These transnational bonds, forged through shared ideologies of anti-immigration, nationalism, and nativism, seek to push radical agendas into the political mainstream. The robust public response in Germany, marked by widespread protests and political condemnation, demonstrates a strong societal commitment to upholding foundational democratic principles against the encroachment of extremist ideologies. The ongoing scrutiny of these connections will remain crucial in monitoring and mitigating the potential impact of such movements on European political landscapes.
