Germany’s Firewall Has Completely Failed
Attempts to ostracize the AfD has fueled both the rise and radicalization of Germany’s far-right party.
The firewall, a prominent German strategy to prevent the Alternative for Germany (AfD) from holding political responsibility, has failed spectacularly. Despite successfully keeping the AfD away from state and federal level political roles, the party has grown into the strongest in national polls, with a significant presence in eastern German states.
As the upcoming Sept. 6 election in Saxony-Anhalt approaches, the AfD may gain an absolute majority in a state parliament, thereby taking on responsibilities like policing, education, and budget allocation. Left-leaning political scientists attribute the party's rise to center-right and center-left forces normalizing the AfD's rhetoric.
However, the firewall has only made the AfD's growth more radical, as it has adopted increasingly extreme positions and promoted radical leaders. The firewall fails to deter voters from supporting the AfD, as the party can be voted for with no risk of facing consequences. The firewall also reinforces the AfD's narrative of being the only opposition to the current system, making it more appealing to voters.
To stem the AfD's power, initiating a party ban through the constitutional court is suggested. The court has the power to ban a party if it is deemed unconstitutional due to aims or behavior undermining the democratic order.
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