Christian Machek attends a rally organized by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Berlin. Despite endorsing a nationalist party thousands of kilometers away from the United States, he identifies as a supporter of both AfD and President Trump.
AfD achieved a significant victory in a recent regional election in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, where the party is labeled as right-wing extremist by the local intelligence agency. President Trump applauded the win on social media, which pleased Machek, an Austrian Belgian resident in Berlin working with the party in the Bundestag as an assistant to the spokesperson on religious affairs.
As the Berlin state election approaches, AfD is trailing just three points behind the leading party, according to a recent survey by Infratest-Dimap. Machek, also associated with Europa Aeterna, a conservative political philosophy group rooted in Christianity, believes AfD fosters patriotism and optimism for the future, much like Trump, whom he views as a strong leader promoting national pride.
Despite falling short of an absolute majority in Saxony-Anhalt, AfD stands a chance of becoming the first far-right party to attain state power in Germany since World War II, contingent on forming a coalition with other parties to govern.
AfD politicians draw inspiration from Trump for some cultural policies they plan to implement if they assume power. The party has even adopted the slogan “Make Saxony-Anhalt Great Again,” reminiscent of Trump’s MAGA motto. While AfD’s ideologies predate Trump, the U.S. president has served as a blueprint for populist parties worldwide to gain mainstream support.
Trump’s influence on AfD is evident in their strict immigration policies, mirroring some of the measures enacted during the Trump administration. The party aims to enhance deportation procedures and revise citizenship rules for immigrants involved in criminal activities, reflecting Trump’s approach during his presidency.
Anne-Christin Richter, a resident of Magdeburg in Saxony-Anhalt, perceives growing division in her community possibly fueled by AfD’s anti-immigration rhetoric. She recalls incidents of racism targeting her daughters, prompting concerns over the party’s impact on societal harmony.
If AfD governs Saxony-Anhalt, it plans to steer cultural and education policies towards a patriotic transformation. Drawing inspiration from Trump, AfD vows to promote classical architecture in public buildings, criticizing modern styles like the Bauhaus movement, a stance echoing sentiments from the Nazi era.
Despite AfD’s admiration for Trump, polls indicate that the U.S. president is widely unpopular in Germany. While some AfD supporters appreciate Trump, his unfavorable reputation among Germans could pose challenges for the party’s public image and long-term political alliances. The ultra-nationalistic tendencies of both AfD and Trump’s supporters may create divisions that outweigh their ideological similarities, potentially undermining collaborative efforts.