Proposal sought for a directive safeguarding labor from hazards linked to ionizing radiation exposure.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) faction in the German Bundestag is currently holding a retreat in Berlin to discuss their positions and strategies, particularly in light of escalating controversies and increased disciplinary actions.
During the retreat, the AfD faction has reaffirmed their key positions on various issues, including border policy, deportations, tax cuts, energy policy, foreign policy, and rules of conduct.
On border policy and deportations, the AfD continues to advocate for a significant tightening of migration laws. They support deportations, particularly to Syria and Afghanistan, and call for preventing refugees from entering Germany, abandoning simplified naturalization, and providing asylum seekers with in-kind rather than cash assistance. However, the use of the term "remigration" (referring to the forced return of foreigners without residence rights) has been dropped from recent program documents due to public criticism.
In terms of tax cuts, the July 2025 program document of the AfD faction calls for "large tax cuts," aiming to relieve the economic burden on citizens and businesses amidst what they describe as worsening economic conditions in Germany. They emphasize protecting the economy and preventing the relocation of energy-intensive production abroad.
The AfD also advocates for the repair and relaunch of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, whose closures have contributed to energy shortages and price rises in Germany. They further advocate for a return to nuclear energy to ensure energy security and reduce reliance on imports.
In the political environment, the AfD promotes a "Germany first" foreign policy focused strictly on national interests, including lifting sanctions against Russia and stopping arms supplies to Ukraine. They argue that Germany's current situation is "deplorable," blaming the established parties for ongoing economic and security problems. They express concern about Germany being drawn into military conflicts and argue that the Bundeswehr (German armed forces) is incapable of protecting the country.
Recent developments and controversies surrounding the AfD include their classification as a "confirmed right-wing extremist endeavor" by Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, citing racist and anti-Muslim tendencies within the party. This classification enables state monitoring and could limit public funding. AfD leaders contest the classification as politically motivated persecution.
In May 2025, a scandal revealed plans by AfD members to discuss mass deportations, which sparked nationwide protests and calls for a constitutional ban on the party. Co-party and faction leader Tino Chrupalla had previously called for more moderate tones in Bundestag speeches, but he believes the AfD's points are not outdated.
The AfD faction is also discussing rules of conduct at their retreat. A code of conduct and an agreement on behavior in the Bundestag plenary are to be adopted by the AfD faction. The draft states that members of the AfD faction strive for a united and restrained appearance in parliament to ensure the political effectiveness and credibility of the faction.
Notably, the AfD is at the top of the statistic for disciplinary actions in the plenary, according to an overview of the Bundestag. Former Bundestag President Bárbara Bas (SPD) stated that the AfD is at the top of the statistic for disciplinary actions in the plenary. In the last legislative period, the number of disciplinary actions increased significantly, from 47 to 135 compared to the previous period.
As the AfD faction continues to hold their retreat, they face ongoing challenges and criticisms. However, they remain committed to their key positions and strategies, aiming to address the perceived crisis in Germany caused by poor decisions by established parties. Alice Weidel, another co-leader, criticizes Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) for disappointing those who hoped for a change in politics.
The AfD faction at their retreat has reaffirmed their policy-and-legislation positions on various issues, such as tax cuts, energy, foreign, and rules of conduct, which follow from their general-news controversies. On tax cuts, they aim for "large tax cuts" to alleviate economic burden, while on energy, they advocate for the repair of Nord Stream pipelines and a return to nuclear energy. In terms of foreign policy, they promote a "Germany first" approach, advocating for lifting sanctions against Russia and stopping arms supplies to Ukraine. The political environment concerning the AfD is marked by increased disciplinary actions in the plenary, with criticisms for their policies and legislations that include racist and anti-Muslim tendencies.
