AfD is moving away from immediate exit from the euro and is calling for EU restructuring
A new AfD strategy paper shows a change of course: Instead of an immediate exit from the Eurosystem, the party is now calling for comprehensive reforms and a reorganization of the EU.
Quick Look
- In a new strategy paper, the AfD distances itself from the call for an immediate exit from the euro.
- Instead, the party aims for fundamental EU reforms, national opt-outs and the abolition of direct elections to the EU Parliament.
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Why It Matters
The AfD previously stood for the demand for an immediate German exit from the Eurosystem.
The European politicians of the AfD are moving away from the earlier demand for an immediate German exit from the Eurosystem and are instead relying on a fundamental restructuring of the EU and the monetary union. This emerges from a new AfD strategy paper that is available to ZEIT.
The paper was discussed on September 29th at a meeting of members of the European Parliament, the Bundestag and the state parliaments. In it, the party calls for a reorganization of the EU into a “federation of sovereign nations” and for comprehensive reforms of the common currency. If a reform of the EU fails, the population will have to decide on “Germany’s future European and monetary policy path.”
The paper accuses the euro of “structural undesirable developments”. Among other things, demands are for an end to “indirect ECB state financing”, the balancing of the Target balances and an insolvency regulation for member states. The aim is to place the euro “on a stable foundation of personal responsibility and liability”.
AfD wants exceptions in migration policy
For the EU, the party is calling for a clear shift of responsibilities back to the nation states. The EU should focus primarily on the "effective protection of Europe's external borders, the common internal market, the cross-border fight against crime and cooperation and coordination in security policy issues." The AfD also calls for national exceptions, so-called opt-outs, for example in migration, social and financial policy.
Institutional changes are also suggested. The AfD politicians spoke out in favor of abolishing direct elections to the European Parliament. The MPs should instead be sent from the national parliaments. The paper states: “Each national parliament elects its delegates according to the majority in its own country and thus brings democratic legitimacy directly into the work of European committees.”
AfD youth also support the preservation of the euro
René Aust, President of the ESN parliamentary group, of which the AfD is part of the EU Parliament, told the Bild newspaper: “With the position paper we show that we are a Europe-friendly party. We want to work with our neighbors.«
Open Questions
- How are the other EU member states reacting to the demands for reform?
- When should the European path be voted on?
