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

What the AfD would do in power

44:08

This browser does not support the video element.

May 22, 2026

The AfD is surging in the polls - in some regions, it's way out in front of Germany’s traditional parties. But despite record support, the far-right party still has almost no real executive power. Why is that? And could that soon change? In this episode host Max Hofmann discusses with DW’s Matthew Moore and author/historian Katja Hoyer what would happen if the AfD won a state outright.

Chapters:

00:00 AfD Poll Surge

01:15 Why not in power?

02:37 Strategy debate

05:02 Path to majority

07:15 The firewall

09:31 AfD goals

12:10 Security power

13:27 Would it moderate?

14:03 System limits

15:10 Weimar lessons

17:02 Remigration debate

20:24 Democracy dilemma

21:25  Voter frustration

23:02 Ban debate

26:48 Real power

29:14 Schools & culture

31:44 Media & Migration

33:21 Federal impact

37:10 In Power: what Changes?

38:23  Compromise problem

40:33  Why AfD?

43:32  Outro

 

DW Berlin Briefing on

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dw-berlin-briefing-inside-german-politics/id1775699172

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/07Wp4c6w9qVIYmB7JIbFBZ

Subscribe Berlin Briefing Newsletter: https://corporate.dw.com/en/newsletter-registration/a-15718229

For more news go to: https://www.dw.com/en/top-stories/s-9097

Follow DW on social media: ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwnews/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dwnews ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deutschewellenews/►Twitter: https://x.com/dwnews

Für Videos in deutscher Sprache besuchen Sie: https://www.youtube.com/dwdeutsch

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/deutschewelleenglish

Skip next section About the show

About the show

DW Berlin Briefing

From the US elections, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to evolving European security dynamics, this video podcast explores how these events impact Germany and the wider region.

Skip next section DW's Top Story

DW's Top Story

Skip next section More stories from DW

More stories from DW