The Nazi regime committed one of the most awful human atrocities in history during the 1940s, the Holocaust, which killed six million Jews and millions of others-those who were Romani, disabled, political dissidents and its long shadow still casts over Germany. This tragic legacy has been deeply imprinted into the national consciousness of Germany, and the nation has spent decades attempting to redeem itself from its past. The recent rise in Germany of far-right parties, however, especially the Alternative for Germany (AfD), keeps people wondering if history is about to repeat itself. A resurgence of nationalist, anti-immigrant feeling, and far-right extremism in Germany summons disturbing echoes of the ideologies that led to the Holocaust, and many fear Germany is once again veering perilously toward extremism.
The Legacy of the Holocaust and Post-War Germany
Germany was devastated physically and morally by World War II. The Holocaust and other atrocities that the Nazi regime had committed changed the world forever, and Germany was forced to face the repercussions of those actions. For many years after the war, Germany focused on rebuilding not only the society but also its reputation. This process involved a tremendous remembrance and reconciliation in civil society, for the federal government built not only memorials and museums but also laws to be used as powerful reminders to future generations of the atrocities perpetrated during the Holocaust. The educational system espoused lessons from history curricula, while anti-Semitism had strict laws to enforce it. In this manner, post-war Germany strived to distance itself from the atrocities of the past and build a new society based on democratic principles, human rights, and recognition of diversity.
Still, all this notwithstanding, the far right appears to have gained considerable foothold in Germany within the recent past, reminding once again that history need not repeat itself. The latest upward trajectory of the AfD, Germany’s most prominent far-right party, has caused much consternation, where there are increasing fears of a resurgence of nationalism, xenophobia, and authoritarianism within Germany. The return of these dangerous ideologies is alarming not only for Germany, but for the whole European continent which has witnessed the ravaging impacts of such movements in the 20th century.
The Rise of the AfD and the Far-Right in Germany
The Alternative for Germany, or AfD, was founded in 2013 as a populist protest movement against the European Union’s handling of the financial crisis. The party started as a Eurosceptic formation and focused primarily on Germany’s relationship with the European Union but rapidly swiveled to populism and far-right positions. This initially led it to distance itself from traditional right-wing extremism but gradually adopted more radical positions, such as nationalism, anti-immigration policies, and deep hostility towards the European Union and globalism.
The party’s shift to the right has also partly been driven by the refugees’ crisis in the summer of 2015, when millions of migrants, who were mostly fleeing war in the Middle East and North Africa, hit the shores of Europe. Germany, under Chancellor Angela Merkel, played a leading role in welcoming these refugees, opening the country’s borders to those in need. While this decision was applauded by many, it was met with resistance by a significant portion of the population, who feared the economic, cultural, and social implications of such an influx of migrants.
The AfD capitalized on these fears, using the refugee crisis as a platform for its xenophobic and anti-immigrant agenda. Its rhetoric was infused with nationalism and populism as it focused on protecting German identity and culture against the perceived threat represented by refugees and immigrants. Inflammatory statements from leading AfD figures such as Alexander Gauland and Frauke Petry have referred to immigrants, Islam, and refugees in inflammatory words associated with far-right extremism. The party even managed to downplay or deny the atrocities of the Holocaust, raising further concern over its extremist agenda.
Since its formation, the AfD has received more and more support in German political life, especially in the eastern part of the country, where it constitutes the leading force. According to the results of the federal election in 2017, the AfD earned 12.6% of votes, so it became the third-largest party in the Bundestag – the German federal parliament. Indeed, in state elections the party has done even better, in several instances winning comfortable seats within the German state legislatures. The revival of the AfD is occurring concomitantly with a trend toward the right across much of Europe: French and Hungarian and Polish far-right movements are similarly on the rise. This is part of a wider populist and nationalist wave sweeping across the continent, with profound implications for the future of European unity and democracy.
The AfD Ideology: Comparisons with Nazi Germany
AfD is often labeled as a far-right, nationalist, and anti-immigrant political party. The party itself does not clearly advocate for the more extreme ideologies of the Nazi regime, though it is unsettling to hear some parallels between the rhetoric and policies of the AfD and the ideology that led to Adolf Hitler’s regime. These parallels pose threats not only for Germany but to democratic values and human rights.
Nationalism and Xenophobia: The belief in the supremacy of the “Aryan” race is one of the main tenets of Nazi ideology, and an accompanying view of Germans as racially and culturally superior. AfD also promotes this brand of nationalism by claiming the German identity and culture needs to be safeguarded from the immigrants, refugees, and foreign influence which pose a threat to the country. Thus, the rhetoric of the party often takes a form of victimhood as regards Germans-in contextualized value-loss through globalization, immigration, and multiculturalism-the AfD is thereby defending German values and traditions.
The Scapegoating of Immigrants and Minorities: The Nazis scapegoated Jews, Romas, disabled people, and other minority groups as responsible for economic problems in Germany and the country’s decline. In similar fashion, the AfD has followed the strategy of scapegoats by targeting immigrants and refugees, mainly from Muslim-majority countries. More often than not, immigrants are drawn into the party’s rhetoric as criminals, terrorists, and economic parasites, all of whom are threats to the cultural and social fabric of Germany. This new rhetoric here resembles the rhetoric of the Nazi regime, by portraying Jews and other minorities as a dangerous “otherness” needing to be expelled from society.
The Use of Populist and Divisive Rhetorics Similar to the Nazis, the use of populist rhetoric by the AfD addresses the grievances of the common people and demonizes that of the political elites and other disadvantaged groups. It constantly positions itself as the representative of the “silent majority,” depicting its message as a response to the failures of the political establishment. It has been successful in gathering supporters from a voting base of marginalized electorates, mainly from economically struggling regions in eastern Germany. However, this rhetoric also further splits German society and generates fear and distrust.
The Denial of the Holocaust and Historical Revisionism: The AfD ideology is certainly the most disturbing through its refusal to accept the consensus that exists about the period of Nazi, more so on the Holocaust. Some members of the party have downplayed or denied the scale of the Holocaust, while others have attempted to revise history, arguing that the crimes of the Nazi regime were exaggerated or misunderstood. This revisionism is not only offensive to the memory of millions who suffered and died under the Nazi regime, but it also serves as a way to erase the lessons Germany has learned from its own history.
The Nazi regime was based on totalitarian rule, where dissent was brutally suppressed and political opposition entirely eliminated. While the AfD has not openly requested a regime like that, it has expressed its admiration for autocratic leadership and demonstrated really little respect for democratic norms and institutions. The leaders of this party have repeatedly targeted the media, describing them as “fake news” and “enemies of the people.” Such rhetoric erodes the free press and compromises the checks and balances so vital in a healthy democracy.
The Impact of the AfD’s Rise on German Society
The ascendancy of the AfD and rising popularity of far-right politics in Germany has crucial and deep-reaching implications for the country. The most significant aspect of the party’s rhetoric is its contribution to a growing climate of division, fear, and intolerance within German society. Often, adherents to the AfD speak about a “silent majority” feeling deserted by political elites and, hence alienated and frustrated. The economic differences between the former East and West Germany have enhanced this alienation and made it easier for movements of far-right ideology to propagate, especially in the eastern states.
The emphasis of the AfD on nationalism and anti-immigrant rhetoric has also led to increased hate crime and violence. Refugees, immigrants, as well as Muslims, are increasingly attacked because far-right extremists are inspired by the rhetoric of the party, and in a number of instances, the party refuses to outright condemn such violence. Many have accused the party of establishing a climate of hatred and intolerance because of such actions.
With this in mind, this success has undermined political stability and democratic norms within Germany. This influence has led to the fragmentation of the political landscape, where traditional parties are unable to build stable coalitions. In some regions, the AfD has made it so the government cannot govern, and political gridlock ensues.
The Danger of History Repeating Itself
The ascent of far-right politics in Germany is deeply troubling not only because of the social divisions but also the historical lessons it threatens to undo. Lessons of the Holocaust would remind people not to serve as a warning, although this time not only against nationalism, xenophobia, but authoritarianism too. The AfD has been able to grow their influence within German politics, signifying an open rejection of the values that have helped Germany build a democratic, inclusive society in the decades since the war.
The fear that history may repeat itself is not unfounded. As much as the AfD has not gone on record to call for the ‘good old days’ of the Nazi regime, it presents and espouses policies and rhetoric pertinent to the same ideologies that have been responsible for one of the deadliest regimes in the history of human-kind. Germany must remain vigilant as it guards its democracy and ensures history serves as a good teacher.
Conclusion: A Call to Vigilance and Responsibility
The rise of far-right politics in Germany is a wake-up call, first of all for the country, and then for the whole world: historical lessons are fragile, and democracy and tolerance need to be actively defended. Germany’s post-war efforts to atone for its past and build a more just society are at risk of being undone by a new generation of far-right extremists who are willing to exploit fear, hatred, and division for political gain.
The threat represented by the AfD and other far-right movements should not be downplayed. They endeavor to destroy valuable democratic values that have been fought for in Germany, while representing a direct attack on equality, freedom, and human dignity. What will continue to critically challenge Germany is its past, the effort of educating future generations about the dangers of extremism, and the building of an inclusive society that honors differences and stands for tolerance.
If Germany can’t learn from its past history, it will be felt within its borders and all over Europe and the globe. The rise of far-right politics in Germany reminds the world of the fact that if history is ignored, it waits to backstore itself into existence. It is now up to the country to act so the atrocities never return to haunt itself again. This is because democracy has to survive; human rights are to be protected.