1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
PoliticsGermany

Why Germany's anti-AfD firewall is crumbling

09:22

This browser does not support the video element.

March 28, 2026

Germany's so-called "firewall" was designed to prevent the resurgence of antidemocratic ideology and has shaped German politics for decades. Now, mounting voter support for the far-right AfD is exposing cracks.

Cooperation between conservatives and the far‑right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the European Parliament has reverberated through Berlin, with the AfD itself calling it a historic success.

In this film we look at why Germany's firewall, that was meant to keep far-right political parties out of government, is slowly crumbling. 

Skip next section DW's Top Story

DW's Top Story

Skip next section More stories from DW

More stories from DW