Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, reacts during an election night rally in Berlin. Photo by Ralf Hirschberger/AFP via Getty Images

By Benyamin Cohen February 24, 2025

Germany’s election on Sunday sent a clear, unsettling message with record turnout and a clear anti-immigration pitch. While the center-right Christian Democrats secured victory, it was the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party that delivered the biggest shock, capturing around 20% of the vote — double its support from 2021, though not as high as some had feared.

“It could’ve been worse,” Meron Mendel, an Israeli-German historian and director of the Anne Frank Education Center in Frankfurt, said in an interview. “But it’s still devastating.”

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The AfD’s rise isn’t just another ripple in Europe’s growing nationalist tide — it carries deeper echoes of Germany’s past. Some of the party’s leaders have ties to neo-Nazi rhetoric and have downplayed the Holocaust. Perhaps most alarming is the party’s growing support among younger voters, many of whom are increasingly disconnected from the country’s reckoning with its role in World War II.

And it isn’t only in Europe where AfD’s rise echoes, Vice President JD Vance and Elon Musk have both expressed support for the party.

So, what’s behind the AfD’s recent surge? Why is this development particularly concerning for Jews? And how does it tie into broader global trends? Here’s what you need to know.

What is the AfD, and why is it controversial?

The AfD was founded in 2013 as a party initially focused on opposing Germany’s participation in the European Union and rejecting the euro currency. But the party quickly shifted toward nationalist, anti-immigration rhetoric — especially after 2015, when Germany welcomed hundreds of thousands of refugees, mostly from Middle Eastern countries.

Over time, factions within the AfD have embraced far-right ideology more openly. According to Mendel, figures like Björn Höcke, a regional AfD leader, have promoted rhetoric that minimizes Germany’s responsibility for the Holocaust and echoes nationalist themes reminiscent of Nazi-era ideology.

Why are Jews concerned?

For Jews in Germany, the AfD’s surge has painful historical resonance. While the party publicly denies antisemitism and even brands itself as pro-Israel, some of its leaders have undermined Holocaust remembrance efforts. Höcke, for example, referred to Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial as a “monument of shame,” sparking outrage.

But the concern extends beyond rhetoric. Mendel warned of the broader danger to democratic values. “In my view, it’s in the vested interest of any minority, and especially for Jews, to preserve the liberal order,” he said. “So if these values are eroded in the free world, it’s another warning signal for Jews around the world.”

While most German Jews oppose the AfD, a small minority has been drawn to its strong anti-Muslim stance — a sentiment that has intensified in the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. “The AfD is trying to position themselves as the only one that protects Jews against Muslims,” Mendel said. “And they have radical ideas: for example, ‘remigration,’ which means to send migrants back to their homelands. And for some Jews, it seems like an attractive answer.”

How did the AfD become so popular?

Several factors contributed to the AfD’s growing support:

Economic anxiety: The German economy has been hit hard by the fallout from the war in Ukraine, particularly the loss of cheap Russian gas. Industries like German car manufacturing have struggled, feeding economic frustration and fueling support for the AfD’s populist messaging.

East-West divide: The AfD has found its strongest support in former East Germany, where feelings of marginalization and disillusionment remain more than 30 years after reunification.

Immigration fears: The party has capitalized on anxieties around immigration, especially among those who feel left behind by mainstream politics. The center-right Christian Democrat party — which won the most votes but must form a coalition government — also campaigned on an anti-immigration platform, an issue which drove many voters to the polls. After the election results were announced, President Donald Trump praised the win by the Christian Democratic party as “a great day for Germany,” and noted that voters were “tired” of a more open immigration stance.

Appeal to young voters: The AfD has gained traction with younger Germans, many of whom don’t have direct family connections to the Holocaust. The party’s social media campaigns have tapped into anti-establishment sentiment and a resurgent nationalism.

Is this part of a larger global trend?

Germany’s far-right surge is not happening in a vacuum; it’s part of a broader global trend. At a speech in Munich earlier this month, Vance criticized Germany’s mainstream parties for maintaining a “firewall” against the AfD. Musk made headlines by addressing an AfD rally via video, drawing criticism for lending it legitimacy.

This growing global network has helped normalize far-right rhetoric and expand the AfD’s platform. By aligning with international voices, the party has managed to soften its image for some voters — despite the continued presence of factions within the party that openly embrace neo-Nazi sympathies.

What’s at stake for Germany and its Jews?

While the AfD didn’t win the election, its rise has already shifted Germany’s political landscape. Mainstream conservatives have begun to show a new willingness to cooperate with the far right, breaking long-standing taboos around engaging with extremist parties.

For many Jews in Germany and around the world, the election results are a reminder that history’s darkest chapters can resurface in new forms. “The wish to get rid of the past was always part of the German discussion,” Mendel said. “But these voices are now coming from the second-largest party.”

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