Protests held at about 100 locations over party’s meeting with neo-Nazis to discuss deporting those it deems have failed to integrate, including German citizens
The article creates the impression, this is about the AfD, a far-right party that is gaining seats in parliaments nation-wide, but it's not. The recent 'scandal' is actually about non-AfD politicians conspiring with far-right movements.
Yes, it's a loud and colorful movement against neo-fascism, but this is also clear statement to the ruling parties not to give in to pressure from the right. And it's definitely against people who are moderate on the surface and brown behind the scenes.
This is about the majority to unite and stands against the Nazis. This is about us. You don't change a Nazi by shouting at their house. you change a bystander by encouraging them to join the march.
AfD members were part of the secret meeting and other members previously voiced similar plans, or even going as far as to wanting to shoot or gas immigrants.
They are currently and consistently strong in the polls for the federal elections, where they come in second at 25% and in many state elections that are going to happen this year they are by far the strongest in the polls.
Also together with the EU parliament elections there will be muncipal elections in many states, where also the AfD could get a "landslide" and be strong enough to dominate budget and planning decisions. They are already cooperationg with the former conservative, now right populist and in somer areas far right CDU, whose members also participated in the deportation plan meeting, on a local level. They made decisions like cutting funding to organizations that help victims of racist violence, cutting funding for theatres and cultural groups that were welcoming to refugees and limiting the ressources for sheltering refugees.