The AfD and reckoning with Germany’s Nazi past

For the first time since World War Two, a far-right party has made a significant win in Germany, taking almost 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has been labelled as “right-wing extremist” by domestic intelligence, is leading the national polls.

Among its pledges at a state level are to defund “anti-German” art and teach children less about Hitler, as part of a “patriotism” agenda.

This idea challenges the deeply held and decades-long German memory culture that insists people must never forget the Nazis’ crimes.

The AfD describes German memory culture in its manifesto as a “guilt complex”. BBC Berlin correspondent Jessica Parker talks us through the complexities of remembering Germany’s past, and the controversial ways in which the AfD wants to shape its future.

0:00 – 0:45 Introduction
0:45 – 2:05 Jess Parker tells us about the recent state election in Saxony-Anhalt
2:05 – 4:13 How has a far-right party won?
4:13 – 5:21 Are the AfD far-right and what does that mean?
5:21 – 7:45 Who is the leader of the AfD?
7:45 – 10:10 Who are the core supporters of the AfD and where do they come from?
10:10 – 12:24 Why did the AfD succeed in Saxony-Anhalt?
12:24 – 15:43 The significance of the Der Spiegel article on Ulrich Siegmund
15:43 – 20:09 How does the AfD want to revisit German memory culture?
20:09 – 22:33 What are the major concerns from voters?
22:33 – 24:58 How do the AfD plan to change memory culture?
24:58 – 26:46 What happens next for Germany?
26:46 – 30:32 What does this mean for Friedrich Merz?

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