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Politics
31 January 2025

AfD's 2025 Election Platform Threatens Societal Progress

Traditional values take precedence over modern inclusivity as AfD gains momentum for upcoming elections.

Germany's political scene is bracing for the upcoming election on February 23, 2025, as polls indicate the Alternative for Germany (AfD) may rise to become the second-largest party, trailing behind the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). With approximately 20% of voters potentially supporting the AfD, questions loom about what this shift could mean for families, individual rights, and the future fabric of German society.

A thorough examination of the AfD's election platform reveals alarming trends. The party’s ideology endorses traditional family structures, explicitly defining the family as consisting of 'father, mother, and children.' According to the AfD's platform, non-traditional family arrangements, including single parents and same-sex couples, would not qualify for the protections afforded by the German Constitution, emphasizing only the conventional family model.

“The AfD recognizes family as the fundamental unit of our society. We reject attempts to extend the meaning of 'family' to other communities and thereby remove the special state protection from the family,” asserts the party’s stance, reflecting its desire to revert social policy to more traditional values.

This return to familial conservatism is underscored by proposed economic incentives aimed at bolstering birth rates among traditional families. The AfD has stated its intention to offer significant financial benefits to families based on the number of children. Their platform includes suggestions such as providing loans at the commencement of family life, with debt relief linked to each child born, thereby creating direct fiscal incentives for larger families. “For young families, we intend to support initial acquisitions through family-start loans, with reductions for each child,” as per the party's electoral strategy.

Further complicity arises with the AfD’s emphasis on parental roles, advocating for mothers to remain at home during the early years of their children's lives. “Parents should ideally care for their children for the first three years rather than rely on external caretakers,” caters to the party's inclination toward fostering traditional gender roles, which may set back decades of progress toward gender equality and independence for women.

Critics warn this approach could revitalize outdated societal norms reminiscent of the 1950s. Sociologist Jutta Allmendinger remarks, “This reversion to family models will squander our children’s potential, minimize their employment prospects, and deny them social engagement and self-efficacy during crises.” The concerns are palpable as the AfD's platform proposes measures around education demonstrating its inclination to dismiss modern progressive teachings.

The party's positions on education denounce what it labels as ‘political ideologies’ such as gender studies and climate discussions within school curricula. With statements like “Kitas and schools should be free from alarm and hysteria,” the AfD seeks to expunge progressive pedagogical elements, advocating instead for teachings rooted purely in traditional family dynamics.

This perspective is not just limited to education; it extends to their proposed changes around separation and divorce. The AfD’s platform suggests implementing policies aimed at preserving familial structures even at the potential cost of individual well-being. They advocate for tax and financial policies aimed at allowing families to function sustainably on one income, implicitly promoting traditional gender roles where the male is the primary breadwinner. This could lead to inherent economic vulnerabilities for women, particularly risk of financial dependency or crisis should relationships break down.

The AfD has also expressed intentions to differentiate children’s rights based on family structures, effectively dismantling the framework of shared parental responsibilities. Their approach could limit the agency of single parents, especially mothers, leaving them legally vulnerable and substantially reliant on paternal discretion.

Further exacerbation of these vulnerabilities could materialize following the AfD's stark opposition to children’s rights enshrined within the German Constitution. The platform states, “Children already possess sufficient rights as people,” making no provisions for distinct child rights legislation. This negates the opportunity for legal protections focused on safeguarding children's welfare, especially during family disputes.

“The AfD is uncompromisingly anti-abortion, viewing it only as permissible under extreme circumstances,” outlines their reproductive stance, as they fight to uphold stringent restrictions on abortion rights. Their platform invokes the 'fundamental right to life,' disregarding women’s health or choices, establishing stringent frameworks around reproductive autonomy.

These positions expose significant ideological divides within German society, reflecting broader discussions around the implications of supporting the AfD. While their platform may resonate with traditionalist sentiments, it encapsulates risks of alienation and regress for marginalized groups and advocates for inclusivity.

Opposition voices continue to warn against potential normalization of the party's agenda—once seen as fringe, now gaining mainstream traction. The Berlin-based journalist Kathleen Fietz, alongside comedian Moritz Neumeier, is engaging citizens through awareness efforts surrounding the AfD's platform via their podcast “What Does the AfD Want?”. They dissect the party's proposals and highlight the stark realities of what could happen—should the AfD exercise significant power post-election.

Germany stands at a crossroads; the rise of the AfD could redefine societal construct, harkening back to traditional values at the risk of overlooking the progressive developments of modern society. Voters will need to weigh these factors carefully as they approach the February election, gauging the future they envision for families, children, and personal freedoms within Germany.