Could an Extremist Soon Head a German State Government?

Now, Höcke could become the first far-right politician in postwar Germany to be elected head of government in one of the 16 federal states. That office has considerable political power: Premiers are largely responsible for the education and media policy of their state and decide on the details of executing the federal government’s asylum policy. The AfD has long been calling for a radical change of course in asylum and immigration rules. 

Attacking Public Media
At an AfD meeting in November, Höcke promised far-reaching measures if he were elected. He said: “We will stop the fight against the right!” — and was cheered by supporters. Höcke also wants to make major changes to public media: “What will happen if Höcke becomes state premier? Will he cancel the state media contracts? Yes, that’s what Höcke will do! Yes!” he shouted to more applause from his AfD members.

After years of critical reporting, the AfD has called for the abolition or restructuring of public broadcasting in Germany. Inspired by former US President Donald Trump, the AfD relies on so-called “alternative media” and disseminates its policies via its own far-reaching party channels on social media. 

In December, the legal analysis website Verfassungsblog (Constitution Blog) outlined just how realistic the scenario of an AfD state premier might be.

According to its analysis, the relatively low-profile office of state parliament president could be key. In Germany, the job usually goes to the most successful party in state elections. And in Thuringia, the AfD is clearly ahead in opinion polls. This means that it has a legitimate chance of winning this office.  

“The damage that an authoritarian populist party that holds this office could do to democracy as a whole is immense,” the Verfassungsblog warned. This is because the president of the state parliament organizes parliamentary procedures. 

If the AfD were to emerge as the strongest party in Thuringia as predicted — with about 35% of the vote, no less — lawmakers could put Björn Höcke forward as their candidate for head of government. Höcke would likely fail to get over 50% support in the first two rounds of voting if all other parties vote against him.

But, in the third round of voting, a simple majority would suffice.

The only hope for the other parties would be to put their differences aside and team up in an unusual alliance to name a joint candidate. For that, the conservative Christian Democrats and the Socialist Left Party would have to work together after years of bitterness and strife that have marred state politics in Thuringia. 

No AfD Ban — but a Höcke Ban?
In January 2024, anti-far-right activists launched a petition calling on the German government to file an application with the Federal Constitutional Court to forfeit certain fundamental rights of the Thuringian AfD leader.

This would curtail his freedom of expression or freedom of assembly. The court could also revoke the right to vote and the right to be elected — and the ability to hold public office. If its lead candidate Björn Höcke were affected, the AfD in Thuringia could be severely affected.

Hans Pfeifer is a DW reporter specializing in right-wing extremism. This article is published courtesy of Deutsche Welle (DW).