SPD parliamentary manager Dirk Wiese has issued strong warnings regarding the potential, far-reaching consequences of an Alternative for Germany (AfD) government in Germany. Speaking to German media outlets, Wiese asserted that voting for the AfD is “not a protest, but support for the dismantling of democracy” adding that the party’s goals surpass mere governmental change, aiming instead for an authoritarian state.
The concern is heightened by the AfD’s current strong standing in national polls and by its potential significance in the upcoming state elections in Saxony-Anhalt this September. Wiese pointed out that the party has publicly announced its intention to replace numerous civil servants in the event of a government takeover. According to the SPD politician, these planned departmental restructuring efforts signal a direct challenge to crucial elements of German free society-ranging from press and freedom of opinion to culture, volunteering, and the Jewish community.
Furthermore, Wiese warned that experience in countries like Hungary and Poland serves as a stark reminder of how far-right and anti-democratic forces behave once they gain executive power. He concluded by emphasizing that all citizens must remain mindful of their responsibility to protect democratic institutions from threats, both internal and external.