AfD's Shift: A Far-Right Party's Attempts to Broaden Appeal in Western Germany

As the AfD aims to expand its influence beyond Eastern Germany, local representatives have reported a surprising increase in support for their far-right values, challenging the historical perception of the party in the region.

On a warm spring day in Duisburg, a city long associated with Germany’s steel industry, local City Council member Alan Imamura engaged with residents in a shopping area that had once been dismissive of politicians linked to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Previously ostracized, Imamura now enjoys a warmer reception owing to the AfD's shifting strategy aimed at appealing to voters outside its traditional base in the East.

At the AfD's core is its anti-immigrant sentiment, a stance that has led Germany’s federal intelligence agency to label the party as extremist. Despite its roots in euro-skepticism over a decade ago, the party has garnered a significant following in Western Germany in recent years, especially evident in the strong electoral performance in Duisburg—where the AfD received nearly 40 percent of votes in recent elections.

"It’s so different," reflects Imamura, noting that just five years ago, supporters might face hostility. Now, increasingly, residents express appreciation for the party’s message, with many saying they feel represented at last.

An extensive report from Germany's intelligence service highlights entrenched xenophobia within the AfD's leadership, revealing inflammatory rhetoric from figures like Bjorn Höcke, who has made controversial statements reminiscent of Nazi propaganda. This duality—the presentation of a polished party image while adhering to extremist ideologies—illustrates a calculated attempt to broaden the AfD's appeal while maintaining its foundational beliefs. As Western Germany reassesses its political landscape, the AfD aims to solidify a foothold in areas previously resistant to its ideology.