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Questions and Answers
What does the AfD primarily oppose?
What does the AfD primarily oppose?
Which of the following social positions do AfD members hold?
Which of the following social positions do AfD members hold?
Which term refers to Germany's effort to address its actions during World War II?
Which term refers to Germany's effort to address its actions during World War II?
What is the status of the AfD in recent polls as of fall 2023?
What is the status of the AfD in recent polls as of fall 2023?
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What was the AfD's percentage of support in the 2021 elections?
What was the AfD's percentage of support in the 2021 elections?
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Which organization has suggested that the AfD may pose a threat to liberal democracy?
Which organization has suggested that the AfD may pose a threat to liberal democracy?
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What distinguishes the AfD from the National Democratic Party of Germany?
What distinguishes the AfD from the National Democratic Party of Germany?
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What was the ruling regarding the Young Alternative for Germany in early 2023?
What was the ruling regarding the Young Alternative for Germany in early 2023?
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What has been the response of the BfV towards the AfD party as of 2022?
What has been the response of the BfV towards the AfD party as of 2022?
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What is one argument against banning the AfD?
What is one argument against banning the AfD?
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According to Jan-Werner Mueller, what dilemma do democracies face regarding extremist parties?
According to Jan-Werner Mueller, what dilemma do democracies face regarding extremist parties?
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What position did some suggest regarding the AfD's compatibility with the German constitution?
What position did some suggest regarding the AfD's compatibility with the German constitution?
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Who is suggested to have the right to ban a political party from elections?
Who is suggested to have the right to ban a political party from elections?
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Study Notes
The Alternative for Germany (AfD)
- The AfD is a right-wing political party in Germany known for its opposition to immigration and the European Union.
- The AfD believes the EU restricts Germany's national sovereignty.
- The AfD holds right-wing social positions, such as opposing feminism and gay marriage.
- The AfD supports the reintroduction of "Volk" and "Vaterland" (nation/people and fatherland, respectively).
- The AfD opposes "Vergangenheitsbewältigung" (coming to terms with the past), a term referring to Germany's reckoning with its actions during World War II.
- The AfD is the second most popular party in Germany, according to recent polls.
- The AfD received about 10% of the vote in the 2021 elections.
- The AfD has been the subject of discussion regarding a potential ban from the 2025 elections.
Banning the AfD
- The Federal Office for Protection of the Constitution (BfV) and the German Institute for Human Rights (DIMR) have suggested that the AfD should be banned from the 2025 elections.
- The DIMR argues that the AfD's nationalist positions may pose an existential threat to liberal democracy in Germany.
- Banning the AfD would not be the first time a party has been banned from participating in German elections.
- The National Democratic Party of Germany (NPD) has been subject to multiple near bans.
- The Young AfD was recently declared an extremist group by a court.
- The AfD has been placed under surveillance by the BfV after a court declared them a threat to democracy.
Arguments for and Against Banning the AfD
- Supporters of banning the AfD argue that their positions on immigrants and right-wing causes are incompatible with the fundamental structure of the German constitution.
- Opponents of banning the AfD argue that doing so would be an attack on democracy, inflaming tensions and damaging faith in elections.
Discussion Questions and Challenges
- Banning a party from elections in order to protect democracy may be seen as a contradiction.
- The conditions under which banning a party from an election is justifiable are debated.
- The right to ban a party from an election, and to decide whether a party is a threat to democracy, are complex issues.
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Description
This quiz explores the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a prominent right-wing political party known for its stances on immigration and EU policies. It discusses the party's position on national sovereignty, social issues, and its electoral performance in recent years. Additionally, it addresses the debate surrounding a potential ban of the party from future elections.
