If they do it... hate wins!
All around the world right-wing authoritarian parties are winning. They win by persecuting a minority and generating hate.
Saxony-Anhalt elections could see AfD become the first far-right party to take power at a state level since WWII.By Al Jazeera Staff, DPA and ReutersPublished On 6 Sep 20266 Sep 2026Voting is under way in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt that could see the Alternative for Germany (AfD) become the first far-right party to take power at a state level since World War II.Recent surveys place AfD at 40 percent, ahead of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) at 23 percent.AfD has led comfortably in the pre-election opinion polls for months and has a chance at winning an absolute majority if several smaller parties fail to clear the 5 percent threshold to enter the parliament.
I asked Gemini what platforms the party is running on... does any of this sound familiar?
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has built its electoral momentum and state-level political gains around a strongly nationalist, anti-establishment, and populist platform.Here are the core pillars the AfD has consistently used to run its campaigns:## 1. Strict Anti-Immigration and Border Control* **Mass Deportations:** Advocating for the large-scale deportation of asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, and even foreign nationals who have committed crimes.* **Border Security:** Demanding permanent, strict controls at Germany's borders to halt irregular migration entirely.* **Cultural Preservation:** Framing high immigration as a direct threat to German cultural identity, public safety, and social cohesion.## 2. Euroscepticism and Anti-EU Policies* **Reforming or Leaving the EU:** Advocating for a significant reduction of the European Union's powers, or in some factions, a "Dexit" (Germany leaving the EU).* **National Sovereignty:** Prioritizing German national law and sovereignty over EU directives, particularly regarding fiscal policy and regulations.## 3. Opposition to the "Green Transition" and Energy Policies* **Rejecting Climate Targets:** Campaigning heavily against Germany's green energy mandates, carbon taxes, and the phase-out of fossil fuels and nuclear energy.* **Lower Energy Costs:** Blaming current economic hardships on climate policies and promising to restore cheap fossil fuels and Russian energy sources to lower utility bills for citizens and businesses.## 4. Anti-Establishment and Populist Rhetoric* **Challenging the Political Elite:** Positioning themselves as the only true voice of the "ordinary people" against a detached, corrupt political establishment in Berlin.* **Media and Institutional Distrust:** Frequently criticizing mainstream media and public broadcasting, accusing them of bias and censorship.* **Foreign Policy Alignment:** Often adopting a more conciliatory stance toward Russia, criticizing NATO's role, and opposing military aid to Ukraine.---> **Note:** The AfD's platform has led to intense polarization in Germany. While supporters view the party as a necessary corrective to mainstream policies, mainstream democratic parties and the German domestic intelligence agency have increasingly classified regional branches of the AfD as suspected or proven right-wing extremist organizations.
Then I asked Gemini about their LGBTQ+ policies...
On LGBTQ+ issues, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) promotes an ultra-conservative, traditionalist platform that stands in stark opposition to contemporary progressive policies. Their stance is a key component of their broader cultural "anti-woke" campaign.The core elements of the AfD's platform regarding LGBTQ+ issues include:## 1. Defense of the "Traditional Family"* **Nuclear Family Focus:** The AfD heavily champions the traditional model of a family—consisting strictly of a mother, a father, and children. They view this structure as foundational to German society and demographic preservation.* **Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage:** Although the party’s co-leader, Alice Weidel, is an openly gay woman living with a female partner and children, the party’s official platform has historically advocated for rolling back or challenging same-sex marriage rights, prioritizing traditional marriage frameworks instead.## 2. Rejection of "Gender-Identity Politics" and Transition Laws* **Opposition to the Self-Determination Law (*Selbstbestimmungsgesetz*):** The AfD fiercely opposes legal reforms that make it easier for transgender and non-binary individuals to legally change their gender.* **Banning Gender-Neutral Language ("Gendering"):** They campaign against the use of gender-inclusive language in public administration, schools, and media, framing it as an unnecessary and ideological distortion of the German language.* **Medical and Public Restrictions:** The party advocates for halting public funding for gender-affirming medical procedures and opposes what they describe as the "promotion" of gender and sexual diversity in schools and public institutions.## 3. The "Culture War" and Framing Immigration* **Anti-Woke Rhetoric:** The AfD positions itself as a bulwark against what it terms "gender mania" and "wokeness," arguing that progressive cultural shifts undermine historic European values.* **Instrumentalizing Queer Safety:** Interestingly, figures within the party (including Alice Weidel) have at times used anti-homophobia talking points to target Muslim and non-Western immigrants. They argue that high levels of migration from conservative Islamic countries pose a direct threat to the safety of secular and LGBTQ+ individuals in Germany, blending anti-immigration arguments with selective concerns over public security.Overall, the AfD treats LGBTQ+ policy as a battleground against progressive social change, rallying their base around the preservation of traditional social norms.
And finally I asked it: "Does this sound like Trump?
That is a very common observation. Political scientists and analysts frequently categorize the AfD as part of the broader global wave of right-wing populism that includes Donald Trump’s MAGA movement, Viktor Orbán in Hungary, and similar movements worldwide.Several core elements tie their playbooks together:* **The "Anti-Establishment" Outsider Persona:** Both frame themselves as fighting a corrupt, out-of-touch political and media elite on behalf of the "forgotten everyday people."* **Nationalism as a Core Brand:** Slogans like "America First" and the AfD's equivalent focus on national sovereignty share a deep skepticism of globalism, international bodies (like the EU or UN), and multilateral agreements.* **The Culture War and Anti-"Woke" Stance:** Both heavily weaponize cultural issues—pushing back against progressive gender policies, LGBTQ+ initiatives, and green energy transitions—framing them as threats to traditional values and common sense.* **Weaponizing Grievances Over Immigration:** Both place border security and strict restrictions on immigration at the absolute center of their political appeal, often linking demographic shifts to domestic security and economic strain.* **Distrust of Mainstream Media:** Labeling critical mainstream news outlets as "fake news" or biased establishment mouthpieces is a staple of communication for both groups.While the institutional frameworks and histories of the U.S. and Germany are very different—and the AfD operates within a multi-party parliamentary system rather than a two-party presidential one—the underlying populist strategy, rhetoric, and cultural targets bear a striking resemblance. In fact, figures within the AfD and parts of the modern U.S. conservative movement have actively built political ties and expressed mutual admiration.
Do any of these policies sound familiar... they should. They are the rallying cry of authoritarian regimes everywhere: Pick a minority and make them the scapegoat of all the countries "ills'. Slogans like "America First" if you are with us then you must an enemy of the state! Attack the media... they are the real enemies!
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