Rudolph Angler The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has ignited controversy by distributing campaign flyers styled as “deportation tickets” in Karlsruhe.
Police in Karlsruhe have opened an investigation into the AfD’s local branch, accusing the flyers of inciting racial hatred. The flyers mimic airplane tickets, displaying the AfD logo alongside phrases such as “departure: Germany” and “destination: safe country of origin.”
The materials also include statements like “Only remigration can save Germany” and “It’s nice at home too,” sparking complaints from the public and political opponents.
Accusations of Xenophobia and Historical Parallels
Critics, including members of the Left party, claim the flyers were deliberately distributed to people with migration backgrounds to incite division and hatred.
The Left party argued that the flyers promote xenophobia and accused the AfD of attempting to stoke fear among different groups. The AfD’s Baden-Württemberg state branch defended the campaign, claiming it targeted all eligible voters in Karlsruhe and was not intended to single out specific communities.
German media noted similarities between this campaign and a 2013 effort by the far-right National Democratic Party (NPD), now rebranded as Heimat. The NPD’s campaign included fake flight tickets reading “From Germany — destination home,” which were widely condemned as xenophobic propaganda. The NPD was later stripped of state funding and tax breaks following public outcry against its actions.
AfD politician Marc Bernhard denied any connection with the NPD, dismissing comparisons as baseless. He insisted the current campaign was unrelated to the NPD’s past actions.
AfD’s Policies Align with Controversial Immigration Stance
The campaign aligns closely with the AfD’s hardline immigration policies, particularly the concept of “remigration.” At a party conference in Riesa, AfD chancellor candidate Alice Weidel openly endorsed the term, which is broadly understood to mean the large-scale deportation of individuals with migration backgrounds.
Weidel’s stance marks a shift from her position a year ago, when she distanced herself from the term following backlash over a senior AfD member’s meeting with Austrian far-right activist Martin Sellner. At the time, Sellner promoted the deportation of foreigners with residency rights and citizens deemed “non-assimilated.”
“Remigration” has also been championed by Austrian far-right leader Herbert Kickl, who recently entered coalition talks after his party’s strong showing in elections.
Despite the AfD polling second nationally with 22% in the latest INSA poll, other major parties, including the leading Christian Democratic Union (CDU), have ruled out cooperating with them. Analysts suggest the AfD remains unlikely to enter government without a dramatic political shift in Germany.
This controversy underscores the party’s divisive rhetoric and its potential impact on Germany’s political landscape ahead of the February 23 election.