Full Breakdown
AfD Mulls Softening Its Anti-EU Stance
By Drooid · · How we work
New Strategy Paper Calls for EU Treaty Renegotiation
On October 5, Reuters reported that members of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) have drafted a strategy paper proposing a wholesale renegotiation of European Union treaties. The document suggests turning the EU into a looser alliance of sovereign nations and, if negotiations fail, holding a referendum on Germany’s EU membership. It also calls for national opt-outs in migration, fiscal policy and jointly issued EU debt, while stopping short of demanding an immediate exit from the euro currency.
Historical Opposition to the EU and the Euro
The AfD was founded in 2013 largely in reaction to euro-zone bailout policies and has traditionally called for Germany to leave the euro and eventually replace the EU with a new framework. The party’s platform has consistently linked its anti-EU stance to anti-migration campaigning that began after the 2015 influx of refugees from the Middle East. In the most recent national election, the AfD placed second, trailing Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives, and it now seeks to join the federal government by 2029.
Party Leaders Explain the Shift
Peter Boehringer, the AfD’s parliamentary spokesman on European affairs and a long-time euro critic, described the paper as an implementation plan for existing positions rather than a reversal of policy. He emphasized that pursuing treaty reform before any potential withdrawal aligns with the party’s long-standing goals. Party co-leader Alice Weidel, in an August interview with broadcaster ZDF, referred to the euro as a “soft currency” but did not call for an outright departure from the currency.
Political Impact and Reception
If adopted, the proposal could reshape Germany’s relationship with the EU and influence debates on sovereignty and fiscal integration. Mainstream German parties continue to refuse cooperation with the AfD, and the domestic intelligence agency classifies the party as “right-wing extremist,” a label the AfD rejects. Analysts note that a softened stance might broaden the AfD’s appeal among voters wary of deeper EU integration while still preserving its nationalist core.