ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s rise in the German parliamentary elections is causing concern in the country, with Social Democratic Party (SPD) member Denis Kocker deeming them “one of the biggest threats democracy has faced.”
Kocker told Rudaw that the AfD claims that migration is an issue for Germany but “it is not,” adding that “we need to look at who is not properly dealing with the system, who is misusing our state.”
“We shouldn't generally say migration is bad for the country,” he added.
The AfD is a far-right party that opposes German integration and migration. The party also publicly condones mass deportations.
The German parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place on February 23. The previous vote was held in 2021.
On Sunday, Dirk Nockemann, AfD candidate for the German parliament (Bundestag) in Hamburg, said that his party is focusing its agenda in next month’s elections on restricting immigration and reversing the current influx by pressuring countries of origin to accept returnees, as part of its efforts to counter what it describes as “radical Islamism.”
Last year, they called for "remigration," - repatriation of immigrants - which led to weeks of widespread protests, as the country hosts around 19 million immigrants, who make up 23 percent of the population.
With the AfD likely to gain more votes and increase its influence, this issue is causing concern among many in Germany, especially immigrants.
“It's fundamentally foolish to say that everyone [migrants] should be expelled. Without specialists or foreign people in general, our democracy wouldn't even be possible here,” Kocker said, stressing, “Those who misuse the system or don't have the right to stay must return. But anyone who has reasons for fleeing should still be able to come to Germany.”
The SPD is the oldest party in Germany that is in the center-left. The Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, who headed the collapsed coalition, was an SPD member.
“We want to become the strongest party - I'm not giving up on this hope,” Kocker said.
His party has been in decline but somewhat recovered in 2021. However, they are now on the decline again as the AfD continues to rise.
“We must clearly tell people what this party [AfD] really wants. They want to spread arguments and belittle people. We can't allow this. We must tell people the truth. It must be made clear to Germans: Be aware, this isn't an opposition party. This party is anti-foreigner, anti-diversity, and only exists for arguments,” Kocker said.
He added, “The AfD party is, in my view, one of the biggest threats democracy has faced.”
