At its party conference in Greding, the Bavarian branch of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) adopted a resolution to deport non-Germans and Germans with a migration background from Germany en masse.

Bavaria AfD adopts mass “remigration” resolution

AfD politicians in Bavaria have voted in favour of adopting the “Bavarian Resolution for Remigration”, which would see German citizens with a migration background and non-Germans living in the federal republic deported from their homes.

"Groups of people with a weak ability and willingness to integrate should be returned to their home country by means of mandatory return programmes and supported in reintegrating into their society of origin and in (re)building their home country," the resolution explains.

Migrants in Germany who don’t think of themselves as migrants “could have a rude awakening,” added Bernd Riexinger (Left), in response to the party’s decision. According to Destatis, 18 percent of people living in Germany are immigrants and over a quarter of the German population has a migration background.

Parliamentary group leader Britta Haßelmann (Greens) pointed out that just one year after a Correctiv investigation revealed AfD and an ex-Christian Democratic Union (CDU) member had secretly met with Austrian far-right activist Martin Sellner to discuss mass “remigration” plans, the AfD now feels comfortable enough to publicise its planned policy.

Correctiv’s investigation led to mass anti-AfD demonstrations across Germany and in some corners a call to ban the party on the basis that it poses a threat to German democracy and the constitution (Grundgesetz). MPs will vote on a potential ban in December or January after the motion was officially submitted by a cross-party group of 133 Bundestag members.

What is the significance of the Bavarian AfD adopting the resolution?

Speaking to Bavarian public broadcaster BR24, political science and sociology researcher at the University of Bonn Philipp Adorf said that the Bavarian AfD’s decision to adopt the motion suggests that state-level politicians want their party to adopt the policy at the federal level ahead of elections on February 23, 2025.

With the CDU expected to win in February, likely to create a coalition government with the Social Democratic Party or Free Democratic Party, and the AfD polling in second, it could be that the party becomes the largest opposition in parliament.

If this is the case, the AfD will be granted privileges given to the largest opposition party, including more time for speakers, the ability to file enquiries directed at the government and the establishment of fact-finding committees. The Bundestag’s budget committee is also conventionally led by a politician from the largest opposition party.

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