Germany’s AfD party hails record-breaking election surge, pushes for coalition role

Following the German federal election on Sunday, the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party took to social media today to trumpet a remarkable electoral performance.

The probably now not so far-right party reported securing 20.8% of the vote, according to preliminary final tallies, a result it said more than doubled its share from the prior Bundestag election.

The AfD’s post in German on both Facebook & X platform described the evening as “brilliant” for its civic movement, emphasizing its belief that no other party born in reunited Germany has matched this level of success.

The party co-chaired by German politicians Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla pointed to overwhelming support in the east, where it claimed over 30% of votes in every state, with standout results in Thuringia at 38.6%, Saxony at 37.3% and Saxony-Anhalt at 37.1%. In the west, it noted consistent double-digit backing, approaching 20% in many areas, reinforcing its claim to be a major nationwide player.

The AfD credited this leap to its focus on putting Germany and its people first, contrasting its approach with what it called the failures of establishment parties like the CDU, SPD and Greens. It accused these rivals of pursuing policies that alienate and disrespect the nation, pointing to the CDU’s second-worst federal result ever and the SPD’s lowest since 1887 as proof of voter rejection. The Greens, the AfD said in its social media post, lost ground, while the FDP and BSW fell short of the 5% needed for seats due to a lack of principles.

In its post, the AfD argued the election reflected a clear public call for a “black and blue” coalition with the Union (CDU/CSU), asserting this pairing would hold a stable majority and align with voter wishes. It expressed eagerness to take on government duties, promising to champion secure borders, deportations, practical energy policies without “climate hysteria,” family support over “decadence” and education free of ideology.

Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, had publicly expressed support for the AfD ahead of Germanys federal election. His backing began notably in December 2024, when he endorsed the AfD via posts on X, the social media platform he owns, declaring, “Only the AfD can save Germany.” Musk further amplified his stance by appearing via video at an AfD rally in January 2025 and publishing a guest opinion piece in the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, which led to the resignation of the commentary editor in protest. His support has included praising the party’s positions on freedom of speech and deportation of criminals.

Musk’s involvement escalated as he engaged directly with AfD leadership, including a 74-minute live conversation on X with party co-chairwoman Weidel, where they discussed Germany’s political landscape and migration policies. He also urged German voters to move beyond historical “guilt,” a stance that drew sharp criticism from mainstream German politicians like Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who called it “disgusting,” and CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who warned of potential consequences, including scrutiny of Tesla’s operations in Germany.

“In good time beforehand” i.e. a day before the election, the AfD issued a press release stating in German — contrary to popular belief — that it supports cultural diversity in Germany.

However, the party framed it within a specific context, emphasizing the preservation of traditional German culture and the need for clear integration guidelines. In the press release, the party responded to questions from the German Cultural Council eV, outlining its stance.

The AfD asserted that Germany has historically been culturally diverse, citing examples like regional German tribes — Frisians, Saxons and Bavarians — and their languages, traditions and folklore. It acknowledged contributions from guest workers, repatriates and migrants over time, viewing this gradual diversity as an asset when aligned with democratic values and mutual respect. However, the party argued that recent uncontrolled mass immigration threatens this diversity, claiming many newcomers resist adapting to German norms, leading to parallel societies and cultural conflicts.

On cultural integration, the AfD stressed that it is essential but must prioritize maintaining Germany’s national identity. It places the onus on immigrants to fully adopt German values, traditions and language, pointing to perceived failures in integrating recent asylum seekers. The party highlighted issues like language barriers, educational gaps and rejection of Western norms — such as women’s rights — as evidence of integration shortcomings.

The AfD said it also supports measures against anti-Semitism, racism and misanthropy, but ties these issues to immigration, suggesting that hostility, particularly toward Jews, stems from imported ideologies within migrant communities. It calls for honest analysis, strict integration policies and zero tolerance for extremism to safeguard social cohesion.