Berlin AfD Adopts Platform, Aims to Become Strongest Party

The Alternative for Germany’s Berlin chapter has adopted an ambitious campaign platform ahead of the September 20 state elections, centering on security, migration control, and administrative reform in Germany’s troubled capital city.

According to Junge Freiheit, the party approved its program with overwhelming support at a state convention held Saturday in Brandenburg an der Havel, projecting unity as it aims to challenge the ruling coalition. Kristin Brinker, the regional party chairwoman, was formally nominated as the AfD’s candidate for Governing Mayor of Berlin.

Brinker made clear the party’s governing ambitions during her address to delegates, declaring the AfD intends to become the strongest political force in the capital. Current polling shows the AfD competing with the Greens and Left Party for second place, trailing the CDU led by incumbent Governing Mayor Kai Wegner.

Sharp Attack on Wegner Administration

The AfD candidate directed sustained criticism at Wegner throughout her speech, condemning what she described as his failed crisis management during the recent power outage caused by left-wing extremists. Brinker characterized the CDU mayor as having failed morally as well as administratively, suggesting Berlin cannot afford such leadership.

Housing Priority for Long-Term Residents

The party platform places controversial housing policies at its center. Under the AfD proposal, municipal housing units would be allocated primarily to residents with established residence in Berlin. Preference would extend to specific professional groups and families with children. The measure explicitly links housing policy to questions of migration status and integration into the city’s social fabric. Brinker framed the position bluntly, stating that apartments should not serve as asylum housing.

Immigration Enforcement and Deportation Focus

On asylum and immigration, the AfD platform calls for an immediate halt to accepting new asylum seekers in Berlin. The party proposes restructuring the State Office for Immigration into a “State Office for Immigration, Asylum and Remigration,” with clear priority given to deportations and returns. Additionally, the AfD wants to establish a specialized unit within the immigration authority dedicated to coordinating and accelerating the expulsion and deportation of foreign criminals.

Expanded Security Measures and Controversial Policing

Internal security forms the second major pillar of the platform. The AfD demands expanded video surveillance in high-crime areas, suspicionless police checks in problem neighborhoods, and nighttime curfews for repeat juvenile offenders. The party also proposes creating a new district police force to support the state police.

This latter proposal has generated internal controversy within the party ranks, as Junge Freiheit reports. Critics within the AfD fear it could create redundant structures resembling an auxiliary police force. Party sources suggest that police officers, who might otherwise be sympathetic AfD voters, are likely to view the proposal unfavorably.

Education Reform and German Language Requirements

Given Berlin students’ poor performance in comparative studies, education policy features prominently in the platform. The AfD calls for strict enforcement of German as the language of instruction in schools and proposes banning gender-inclusive language in educational settings. The party advocates for increased discipline and performance standards, including the reintroduction of conduct grades and dedicated “time-out rooms” for disruptive students. Symbolically, the AfD wants the German national flag flown at every Berlin school.

Direct Democracy Proposals Face High Hurdles

Drawing inspiration from Swiss direct democracy models, the AfD platform includes proposals for direct election of the Governing Mayor and a “popular objection” mechanism that would allow citizens to reverse already-enacted legislation. Such reforms would require a two-thirds constitutional majority in Berlin’s state parliament, making them politically difficult to achieve given the party’s current isolation.

The practical implementation of many AfD proposals faces substantial legal and administrative obstacles. Measures such as curfews, suspicionless police checks, and new law enforcement structures would face strict constitutional scrutiny. Most critically, the AfD has no apparent coalition partners willing to work with the party after the election, raising questions about how any of these policies could be enacted even if the party gains significant vote share.

With information from Junge Freiheit