Clash over Germany's Nazi past as far-right AfD poised for election breakthrough
Remembering its role in the World Wars is a key aspect of modern Germany's identity but the AfD argues it is time to take a more positive view of the past.
The far-right Alternative für Deutschland party (AfD) is currently leading in the polls ahead of the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, a region in eastern Germany. The AfD has proposed defunding anti-German art and teaching children less about Hitler, which has sparked controversy in the country where confronting Nazi crimes is seen as a moral anchor.
An elderly supporter of the AfD, Gerd, emphasized the importance of remembering the past but not erasing it, stating that the Second World War has no relevance to the present. The AfD's proposed curriculum change would emphasize the century preceding World Wars One and Two, with less focus on National Socialism. Critics argue that this shift is reminiscent of Nazi propaganda and could threaten democratic institutions.
The AfD, classified as a right-wing extremist party in several German states, claims it wants to restore national pride by promoting a positive outlook on the country's history. However, its plans have been met with skepticism, with some seeing them as echoes of National Socialist policies.
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