Reuters: AfD has changed its negative attitude towards the EU

Members of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) are advocating a change in the party's longstanding position on Germany's membership of the European Union (EU) and the eurozone. This is reported by Reuters with reference to the documents at its disposal.

The extreme Euroscepticism of the AfD has largely led to its growing popularity in Germany. The party was founded in 2013, arguing, among other things, against the EU’s migration policy and financial assistance to eurozone countries. The AfD has also long advocated liquidating the eurozone or leaving Germany. Now, as the document says, the AfD proposes to carry out a “fundamental reform” of the EU and the eurozone. If this fails, the party will initiate a referendum on Germany’s membership in the EU.

The draft also envisages the transformation of the EU into a freer “union of sovereign states”, limiting the role of Brussels in the internal politics of member states and giving them the right not to participate in pan-European measures in areas such as immigration, EU finance and social policy.

Reuters notes that the document was prepared by AfD deputies representing the party in the European Parliament, the Bundestag and state parliaments. His discussion took place at a party meeting that took place in September. At the same time, any changes in the party program, which has been in force for ten years, must be approved at the party congress - the next one will be held next year.

AfD representatives have not yet commented on reports of a possible change in policy towards the EU.

Eugene Hvostik