German far-right AfD pushes ‘Dexit’

– German far-right party AfD voted yesterday to campaign for Berlin’s exit from the EU in the upcoming European Parliament elections if its demand for reforms within the bloc are not met.

The decision marks the first time any party has called for “Dexit” – a German departure from the EU in the mould of Brexit.

If the EU is not reshaped in line with the party’s ideas “in an appropriate timeframe”, Germany must leave the bloc, according to

Riesay

the draft manifesto agreed by delegates at a party congress in eastern Saxony state.

Congress attendees also voted through a call to abolish the European Parliament – the Brussels body the AfD candidates will be campaigning to join this spring. “We see nation-states as having the exclusive competence to make laws,” the text read, blasting the “751 privileged members” of the present European house.

While both demands are now in the draft manifesto, a final vote later yesterday would have adopted or rejected the entire campaign package. Elections for the European Parliament will take place in May.

AfD was founded as a eurosceptic party, but rose to its current strength in Germany’s national parliament after right-wingers switched its focus to opposing Islam and immigration. Its leaders argue too much power has been transferred to Brussels. – AFP