AfD Extends Invitation to US Republicans for February Congress
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is set to host a congress in Berlin in February, with plans to invite representatives from the US State Department, members of Congress, and various US lobby organizations. This initiative, announced by Deputy AfD parliamentary head and foreign policy spokesman Markus Frohnmaier, aims to strengthen the party's ties with the US Republican Party.
The announcement was made on December 14, 2025, during a gala hosted by the influential New York Young Republican Club, where Frohnmaier received an award. In his acceptance speech, Frohnmaier invoked an 'alliance' of 'patriots' in both the United States and Germany, signaling a shared ideological alignment.
Deepening Transatlantic Connections
The planned congress in Berlin is part of a broader strategy by the AfD to deepen its contacts with the Donald Trump administration and the Republican Party. This effort comes as the AfD, classified as an extremist organization by Germany's domestic intelligence agency, seeks to expand its diplomatic network and counter political isolation within Germany.
Recent months have seen several AfD legislators travel to the US to foster relations with Trump's party, a move that has drawn criticism from other German political parties. These parties have accused the AfD of 'anti-German diplomacy' and questioned the use of taxpayer money for such trips. Despite this, the AfD continues to pursue these connections, with Frohnmaier stating he had met with unidentified US administration officials prior to the gala.
Shared Ideologies and International Support
The AfD and the 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA) movement exhibit clear similarities in their stances on immigration and social policy, both positioning themselves against what they perceive as a 'left-wing sovereignty of opinion' in Western democracies. The New York Young Republican Club, a key network for the MAGA movement, has actively cultivated ties with far-right European parties for several years.
The US administration, particularly figures associated with the Trump camp, has shown overt support for the AfD, a treatment described by experts as unusual for a US administration engaging with a party like the AfD. This support is seen by some as effectively 'intervening in the internal politics of a democratic country'. The AfD's congress in February will notably coincide with the annual Munich Security Conference, a major international gathering.
Outlook and Reactions
The AfD's move to host US Republican representatives underscores its ambition to gain international legitimacy and challenge its domestic ostracization. While the US State Department has not yet commented on the invitation, the initiative highlights the growing alignment between certain conservative factions in the US and Germany's far-right. The AfD views stronger ties with the United States as an essential strategy for its future political goals, including potentially taking power in Germany by 2029.
5 Comments
Bermudez
Waste of taxpayer money on a party that divides us. Shameful.
Coccinella
The AfD clearly wants to gain international recognition and challenge its isolation, which is a common political goal. However, aligning with factions that share controversial stances on immigration could further polarize Germany's political landscape.
Habibi
Finally, some strong international allies! Great move by the AfD.
Mariposa
"Anti-German diplomacy" is right. They're undermining our country.
Coccinella
It's true that conservative movements often seek common ground across borders, as seen with the AfD and MAGA. Yet, the overt support from US figures for a party deemed extremist by German intelligence is an unusual and potentially destabilizing intervention.