The AfD, founded in 2013 as a Euroskeptic party, has progressively moved to the right, largely rallying a more radicalized base around migration issues. Recently, Weidel has attempted to soften the party’s rhetoric to appeal to mainstream conservatives. The party is currently taking steps to remove Kevin Dorow, a youth organization board member, due to remarks that suggested a connection to National Socialism, as reported by Die Welt.
This approach could challenge the longstanding barrier preventing Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s center-right bloc from collaborating with the far right. A successful election result in Baden-Württemberg next week might indicate that these efforts are successful. Historically, the AfD has not fared well in this southwestern state, but current polls show the party in third place with 19 percent support, a notable increase from nine percent five years ago.
The party also has some momentum in Berlin, where an Insa survey places the AfD in second position with 17 percent—the highest it has ranked in the city-state, although it competes closely with three left-leaning parties ahead of the September elections.
However, the legal battle continues.
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