Germany’s right-wing, anti-globalist Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) is rumored to be considering a move to the Patriots for Europe (PfE) group after the country’s national elections on February 23rd, according to Euronews sources. This shift would mark a major realignment within Europe’s nationalist and sovereignist political landscape.
AfD co-leader Alice Weidel recently met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose party, Fidesz, belongs to PfE. Orbán has openly backed AfD, calling it “Germany’s future” and urging engagement with political forces challenging the EU establishment. Elon Musk, now an advisor in Donald Trump’s administration, has also thrown his support behind AfD, claiming it’s the only party that “can save Germany.”
Despite rising in the polls—projected to secure 20-22% of the vote—AfD has faced heavy resistance from Germany’s ruling elites. The government has monitored the party, attempted to undermine its credibility, and framed it as a threat due to its strong stance against illegal immigration and radical climate policies.
AfD was expelled from the Identity and Democracy (ID) group last year after its lead candidate, Maximilian Krah, made controversial statements about Nazi Germany’s SS. Since then, AfD has helped form the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) bloc, alongside parties from Poland, Bulgaria, and Slovakia.
While Euronews suggests the idea of AfD rejoining PfE is circulating, there’s no official timeline for negotiations. Spanish Patriots MEP Hermann Tertsch believes nationalist forces are moving toward greater unity, while a French National Rally MEP remains skeptical, insisting AfD must first clean up its ranks.
AfD’s René Aust, head of the party’s delegation to the European Parliament, denied any plans to leave ESN, emphasizing that political loyalty is non-negotiable. However, if AfD were to join PfE, its 14 MEPs would boost the group’s total to 100 lawmakers, significantly increasing its influence in the European Parliament.
Currently, the centrist European People’s Party holds the most seats with 188 MEPs, followed by the Socialists with 136.
