German opposition calls for EU withdrawal, reports media
The Alternative for Germany party is reportedly seeking to abandon the euro and resume trade relations with Russia. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The Alternative for Germany party (AfD), which is the third-largest opposition party in the national parliament, is reportedly planning to exit the European Union if it succeeds in the upcoming election, according to various media reports released on Friday. These claims stem from the party's recently drafted election manifesto.
Currently polling second behind the center-right CDU ahead of next year’s elections, AfD has stated that the manifesto is “ready” but has yet to make it public. Reports from several outlets, including Die Zeit and Der Spiegel, suggest that the party is also advocating for Germany to abandon the euro and revert to a “stable national currency.”
The 85-page manifesto allegedly states, "We believe that Germany's exit from the European Union and the establishment of a new European community are necessary.” It further proposes that the current structure of the EU should be transformed into an “Economic and Interest Community” after a transition period that would involve negotiations with existing EU member states and potential new partners. The party is critical of the EU, suggesting that it is attempting to evolve into a “superstate.”
On its official website, AfD positions Germany's exit from the EU as part of its political strategy and promotes a “Europe of nations” framework. It argues that the “irrevocable renunciation of sovereignty in favor of an ‘ever closer’ European Union is incompatible” with this vision.
AfD is also aiming to reestablish trade relations with Russia, which were impacted by EU sanctions following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022. National media outlets report that the manifesto underscores the significance of Russia as a source of affordable natural gas essential for German industry. The document reportedly calls for the lifting of sanctions on Russia and the repair of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, which had supplied Russian gas to Germany until they were damaged in September 2022.
Additionally, the party is looking to extricate Germany from the Paris Climate Agreement and implement restrictions on abortion.
While AfD has not confirmed or denied the specifics of the election program, it has noted that the document was distributed to delegates for an upcoming federal party conference scheduled for mid-January. Professor Ingo Hahn, the lead author of the manifesto, described it as a “convincing work that not only names the pressing problems of our country, but also shows clear solutions that will lead Germany out of the current misery.”
Germany may face an early parliamentary election as soon as February 23, following the recent collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party government coalition. Should Scholz's minority cabinet lose a confidence vote in mid-December, a snap election will be triggered.
After the 2021 parliamentary election, AfD became the fifth-largest faction in the Bundestag, securing over 10% of the vote.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
Currently polling second behind the center-right CDU ahead of next year’s elections, AfD has stated that the manifesto is “ready” but has yet to make it public. Reports from several outlets, including Die Zeit and Der Spiegel, suggest that the party is also advocating for Germany to abandon the euro and revert to a “stable national currency.”
The 85-page manifesto allegedly states, "We believe that Germany's exit from the European Union and the establishment of a new European community are necessary.” It further proposes that the current structure of the EU should be transformed into an “Economic and Interest Community” after a transition period that would involve negotiations with existing EU member states and potential new partners. The party is critical of the EU, suggesting that it is attempting to evolve into a “superstate.”
On its official website, AfD positions Germany's exit from the EU as part of its political strategy and promotes a “Europe of nations” framework. It argues that the “irrevocable renunciation of sovereignty in favor of an ‘ever closer’ European Union is incompatible” with this vision.
AfD is also aiming to reestablish trade relations with Russia, which were impacted by EU sanctions following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022. National media outlets report that the manifesto underscores the significance of Russia as a source of affordable natural gas essential for German industry. The document reportedly calls for the lifting of sanctions on Russia and the repair of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, which had supplied Russian gas to Germany until they were damaged in September 2022.
Additionally, the party is looking to extricate Germany from the Paris Climate Agreement and implement restrictions on abortion.
While AfD has not confirmed or denied the specifics of the election program, it has noted that the document was distributed to delegates for an upcoming federal party conference scheduled for mid-January. Professor Ingo Hahn, the lead author of the manifesto, described it as a “convincing work that not only names the pressing problems of our country, but also shows clear solutions that will lead Germany out of the current misery.”
Germany may face an early parliamentary election as soon as February 23, following the recent collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party government coalition. Should Scholz's minority cabinet lose a confidence vote in mid-December, a snap election will be triggered.
After the 2021 parliamentary election, AfD became the fifth-largest faction in the Bundestag, securing over 10% of the vote.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
