German Far-Right Party Launches New Youth Wing Amid Protests
On November 29, 2025, Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party unveiled its new youth wing, Generation Germany, in Giessen, amidst a wave of protests and clashes with police. The event marked the formal re-establishment of a youth organization after the previous group, the Young Alternative, was dissolved earlier in the year due to its extremist connections. Thousands of demonstrators gathered to oppose the party’s rise, leading to violent confrontations with authorities.
The AfD, Germany’s largest opposition party after securing over 20% of the vote in the February 2025 national elections, has continued to see its influence grow. As mainstream parties struggle to address public dissatisfaction, the far-right party portrays itself as a champion of anti-establishment ideals, primarily focusing on anti-immigration rhetoric.
The newly founded youth wing, open to all AfD members under 36, aims to directly engage younger generations in the party’s anti-immigration, nationalist, and often controversial policies. AfD leaders, including co-leader Alice Weidel, framed the protests as a “deeply undemocratic” response, accusing left-wing extremists of attempting to suppress free speech and political expression. However, many critics argue that the party’s agenda is increasingly aligned with far-right extremism.
The Young Alternative, AfD’s former youth organization, had been accused by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency of being a right-wing extremist group. It had close links to controversial movements such as the Identitarian Movement, which espouses xenophobic and exclusionary views. Despite the dissolution of this group, AfD’s decision to create a new, more tightly controlled youth wing raises questions about the party’s long-term direction.
Although the youth wing’s future remains uncertain, it’s clear that AfD is seeking to establish stronger control over its younger members, with leaders urging them to fully dedicate themselves to the party’s cause. The creation of Generation Germany reflects the AfD’s growing ambition to consolidate its support base and shape the next generation of far-right leaders in Germany.
The Ideology Behind the AfD’s Rise
The rise of the AfD can be traced back to the 2015 migrant crisis when the party capitalized on fears over immigration. Since then, its platform has expanded, encompassing nationalist and anti-establishment messages. The party’s position on migration, particularly its calls to reduce immigration from Muslim-majority countries, has struck a chord with a significant portion of the electorate, particularly in Germany’s eastern states, where the AfD is strongest.
However, AfD’s growing influence has raised alarms about the party’s potential for further radicalization. The group has consistently courted controversy with its xenophobic statements and connections to far-right groups. Its rise parallels a broader trend across Europe, where populist and nationalist movements are gaining momentum.
The New Youth Wing’s Potential Impact
The formation of Generation Germany comes at a time of increasing discontent with Germany’s mainstream political parties. The AfD has found fertile ground for its ideology among younger voters, many of whom feel alienated by the political establishment and are drawn to the party’s promises to restore “German identity” and protect the country from perceived threats posed by immigrants.
The new youth organization is positioned as a more formalized, disciplined entity compared to its predecessor. AfD leaders, including Tino Chrupalla, emphasized the need to address the future of the party’s youth, stating that previous mistakes had been made by failing to properly integrate young members. These efforts to institutionalize the youth wing could mark the beginning of a more structured push to solidify AfD’s influence among Germany’s younger generations.
However, it remains to be seen whether the new youth organization will evolve into a platform for moderate or radical political views. While some delegates have stated that the new group will continue the work of the Young Alternative, others argue that it could be more closely monitored to avoid past extremism. Even so, its formation underscores the party’s growing political clout and its appeal to a younger demographic increasingly disillusioned with traditional political structures.
A Broader European Trend
The AfD’s youth movement is not an isolated phenomenon. Across Europe, far-right parties have made inroads with younger voters, capitalizing on fears of cultural erosion, economic uncertainty, and the perceived failure of the political establishment. Whether through informal youth groups or more structured organizations, these parties are investing in their future by recruiting and radicalizing the next generation.
The AfD’s youth wing is part of a wider European trend where youth movements, once associated with left-wing activism, are being co-opted by the far-right. In countries like France, Italy, and Hungary, nationalist parties have increasingly targeted young voters with messages of cultural pride and nationalist unity.
Is This the Return of German Nazism?
As the AfD continues to rise in popularity, one must ask: Is this the return of German Nazism? While the AfD’s rhetoric is not identical to the ideology of the Nazi regime, its exclusionary nationalism, anti-immigration stance, and increasing radicalization of younger generations echo disturbing elements of the past. The party’s ties to extremist groups and its rhetoric targeting ethnic minorities draw alarming parallels to the early days of 20th-century German nationalism.
The formation of a youth wing focused on molding the next generation of far-right leaders could be seen as an attempt to replicate the ideological formation of a new “generation” committed to nationalist ideals. While it remains far from clear whether this movement will mirror the horrors of Nazi ideology, the alarming rise of far-right extremism in Germany and across Europe certainly warrants close scrutiny.
In conclusion, as the AfD continues to gain ground, we must question how far its rhetoric and policies will go. Will the new youth wing play a pivotal role in radicalizing future generations of Germans? And, as its power and influence grow, will it bring with it a return to the darker chapters of Germany’s history? The answer to these questions could have profound implications for Germany and Europe’s future.