Dirk Wiese, the parliamentary affairs director for the SPD, has issued a serious warning regarding the far-reaching consequences that a governing coalition involving the AfD (Alternative for Germany) could unleash on Germany. He stated that voting for the AfD is not a form of protest but rather support for the gradual dismantlement of democracy. According to Wiese, the party’s goal is not merely to effect a change in government but to establish an authoritarian state.
The concerns are fueled by the AfD’s current high standing in national polls, and furthermore, they are expected to gain significant traction in the upcoming state election in Saxony-Anhalt this September. Wiese highlighted the AfD’s stated intentions for that region, noting the party’s plans to significantly replace numerous civil servants should they take power. He argues that this planned restructuring of governmental bodies constitutes a direct challenge to key pillars of civil society, threatening everything from freedom of the press and expression, to cultural institutions, volunteerism, and the safety of Jewish communities.
The SPD politician further invoked historical parallels, drawing attention to examples of what transpired in countries like Hungary and Poland. He emphasized how right-wing populist and anti-democratic forces behave once they achieve governing authority. Ultimately, Wiese concluded that every citizen must be acutely aware of their collective responsibility: to defend Germany’s democratic institutions both from external pressures and from internal erosion.
