Christian Machek participates in a gathering supporting the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Berlin. Despite his alignment with a nationalist party in Germany, he identifies as both an AfD and “Trump enthusiast.”
In a recent regional election in Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD achieved a significant victory, despite being labeled as right-wing extremist by the local intelligence agency. U.S. President Donald Trump praised the win on social media.
Machek, an Austrian Belgian citizen residing in Berlin and assisting the AfD spokesperson on religious affairs in the Bundestag, expressed his satisfaction with Trump’s acknowledgment of the AfD’s campaign success.
As the Berlin state election approaches, the AfD ranks third in the polls, closely competing with the Left party and the centre-right CDU.
Machek, affiliated with Europa Aeterna, a conservative political association rooted in Christianity, credits the AfD for fostering patriotism and hope. He views Trump as a robust leader who inspires national pride.
While the AfD narrowly missed securing an outright majority in Saxony-Anhalt, it remains poised to potentially become the first far-right party in post-World War II Germany to gain state power, contingent upon forming coalitions with other parties.
AfD representatives attribute some of their cultural policies to Trump’s influence, utilizing slogans like “Make Saxony-Anhalt Great Again” reminiscent of Trump’s MAGA campaign. Despite pre-existing AfD ideologies predating Trump, the U.S. president served as a model for populist movements worldwide in garnering mainstream support.
The AfD’s focus on stringent immigration policies mirrors actions taken by the Trump administration. The party in Saxony-Anhalt seeks to implement measures such as stripping citizenship from criminal immigrants, expanding deportation facilities, and establishing a “deportation task force,” echoing Trump’s rhetoric.
Anne-Christin Richter, a Magdeburg resident, noted increased division in her community possibly fueled by the AfD’s anti-immigrant stance, akin to experiences during Trump’s presidency.
If the AfD assumes power in Saxony-Anhalt, it aims to overhaul cultural and educational policies with a pronounced patriotic emphasis. The party’s manifesto mirrors Trump’s executive orders in promoting classical architecture and revising history lessons to highlight national achievements.
While Trump enjoys some support among AfD followers, polls indicate widespread disapproval of the U.S. president in Germany. Analysts caution that the AfD’s association with Trump, despite shared ideologies, could have adverse consequences in the long run due to his unpredictability and potential economic impacts.