German MEP Damian Boeselager highlights the alarming rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, attributing its success to the failures of mainstream political parties to implement necessary reforms. He calls for a reevaluation of political strategies to combat populism in Europe.

Recent opinion polls indicate that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is poised to secure 27 to 29 percent of the vote in the upcoming elections, significantly outpacing the Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU). MEP Damian Boeselager, founder of the Volt party, argues that the AfD’s ascent is a direct result of the inability of traditional parties to address pressing societal issues.

Boeselager points to economic stagnation and the challenges faced by the working generation as key factors driving voters toward the AfD. He notes that many individuals feel trapped in a cycle of financial insecurity, where wealth accumulation is increasingly reliant on inheritance rather than personal achievement. This sense of hopelessness, he argues, is being exploited by the AfD to gain support.

In response to the rise of populism, Boeselager advocates for a European federation and emphasizes the need for pan-European elections to strengthen democratic values across the continent. He has also joined a coalition of MEPs urging the Authority for European Political Parties to scrutinize the AfD’s affiliation with the Europe of Sovereign Nations group, questioning its adherence to EU principles such as democracy and human rights.