- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

German AfD Members Complain About Attacks on Party Ahead of EU, Local Elections

© REUTERS / Wolfgang RattayGermany's far-right Alternative for Germany AfD party burn a private fireworks during an election campaign tour by ship on the river Rhine near Krefeld, western Germany, September 4, 2017.
Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany AfD party burn a private fireworks during an election campaign tour by ship on the river Rhine near Krefeld, western Germany, September 4, 2017. - Sputnik International
Subscribe
Alternative for Germany (AfD) members spoke about the increasing number of attacks against their party in the mainstream media, in the political field and even in the streets.

The year 2019 is a busy one for German politicians. Besides the EU vote scheduled for 26 May, ballots will be cast on the same day in several state and municipal elections, which include 10 key cities and regions (such as Hamburg, Saxony and Thuringia). In September, German voters will go back to polling stations to pick candidates in state elections in Brandenburg and Saxony.

Two AfD members have told Sputnik that the violence is mostly provoked or carried out by AfD's left-wing opponents.

According to Alternative for Germany (AfD) activists, the atmosphere and the tone of political debate have become rather heated, and the reason is the growing popularity of right-wing and conservative ideas.

"Other parties are afraid that AfD will get too many votes", says Berlin regional parliamentary deputy and AfD member Gunnar Lindemann. "So, they try to fight against our party and our ideas — of course, not in a good way".

AfD is known for its right-wing agenda, its tough stance on illegal immigration, but also for its calls to improve relations with Russia. The latter, according to Gunnar Lindemann, often lands the party in hot water, and the number of mainstream media attacks is increasing.

The "clash of ideas" in Germany seems to have gone beyond political debate, newspaper articles, and TV screens, as AfD members are also complaining about physical attacks.

READ MORE: Asylum Cheaters Will Still Be Allowed to Remain in Germany — AfD Member

AfD member Richard Gretzinger told Sputnik that when his comrades are beaten up by "left-wingers", they are afraid to protect themselves.

"They break our signs, they pour paint over us. We cannot respond physically, because they will sue us. But they can do whatever they want — kick us, hit us etc. We call the police, but they don't stick around, they tend to leave rather quickly".

In the city of Essen the situation has escalated far beyond regular fights, as three AfD campaign cars were set on fire on Thursday by unknown perpetrators on former refugee camp grounds. AfD has suspected involvement of left-wing radicals and asked for police protection.

Despite the attacks, the AfD is quite optimistic about how it will perform in the upcoming EU parliamentary and domestic elections, as its popularity appears to be on the rise. In 2017, the party became the third largest political force in the Bundestag.

​Right-wing movements are also winning in neighbouring countries. In March 2019, the Dutch conservative and anti-immigration party Forum for Democracy made a giant leap forward in the provincial elections, becoming the biggest political party in the Senate and stole the majority from Mark Rutte's VVD – something that probably makes the AfD even more certain that conservative ideas might resonate with German voters. But whether the AfD will be able to repeat the success of their Dutch neighbours, or other conservative EU parties during the 26 May vote – remains to be seen.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала