Remigrating the AfD

The German far-right has been unmasked. On 10 January 2024, an investigation by the German outlet Correctiv revealed details of a secretive meeting that took place in November 2023 between several high-ranking members of Alternative für Deutschland (AfD, far-right), neo-nazi activists and business people.  

The participants have allegedly worked on a plan for the “remigration” – a euphemism for mass deportation – of individuals with an immigrant background on German soil, including asylum seekers, foreigners and “non-assimilated citizens”, regardless of whether or not they hold German citizenship. 

The revelation sent shockwaves across Germany. Several demonstrations against the far right were organised in the days following Correctiv's investigation. While the AfD did not deny the participation of some of its leaders in the meeting, they claimed they did not support the deportation plan that emerged from the discussions. The controversy has reignited the debate around a possible ban on the extremist party, which is currently the country's second largest political force at the federal level, according to the latest opinion polls.