AfD Considers Softening Stance on EU and Euro

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is considering a significant shift in its stance on the European Union, according to a strategy paper reviewed by Reuters. The party, which was founded in 2013 primarily in opposition to eurozone bailout policies, has traditionally advocated for Germany’s exit from the EU and the euro. However, the new paper suggests renegotiating EU treaties to transform the bloc into a looser alliance of sovereign nations. If these efforts fail, the paper proposes holding a referendum on Germany’s EU membership.

The strategy paper, reported first by Bild newspaper, also supports national opt-outs from areas like migration, fiscal policy, and jointly issued EU debt. Notably, it does not oppose the euro currency outright. The document was crafted by AfD lawmakers from various parliamentary levels and discussed at a meeting last month. Any policy change would require approval at a party convention next year.

Peter Boehringer, the AfD’s parliamentary spokesman on European affairs, dismissed claims that the paper represents a policy reversal. He argued that the proposal aligns with the party’s longstanding positions, describing it as an implementation plan rather than a change of course. The AfD’s current platform calls for Germany to leave the euro and replace the EU with a new European framework.

The AfD has gained support by campaigning against migration, particularly following the 2015 influx of refugees from the Middle East. The party aims to enter the federal government by 2029 but faces opposition from mainstream parties, which refuse to cooperate with the AfD due to its classification as a “right-wing extremist” organization by the domestic intelligence agency. Party co-leader Alice Weidel recently described the euro as a “soft currency” but stopped short of explicitly calling for Germany to quit the currency.