AfD Divided Over US Troop Withdrawal From Germany Amid Defense Concerns

Within Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, a sharp internal debate has emerged over the presence of US troops on German soil. Party co-leader Tino Chrupalla recently called for the withdrawal of US forces from Germany, advocating for an end to foreign troop presence as part of the party's platform. However, this stance has been met with opposition from AfD's deputy leader Beatrix von Storch, who underscored the potential risks of such a move.

Von Storch cautioned that Germany currently lacks the autonomous defense capacity to protect itself without the US nuclear umbrella. She highlighted that any withdrawal of US troops must be predicated on Germany achieving full self-defense capability and the ability to fulfill NATO obligations. Without close coordination with NATO allies, particularly the United States, and without a solid defense structure, she warned, Germany would be vulnerable to external attacks.

The debate reflects a broader division within the AfD, where a transatlantic-oriented faction including von Storch, defense spokesman Rüdiger Lucassen, and foreign policy spokesperson Markus Frohnmaier advocate maintaining strong ties with the US military presence, at least until Germany can effectively defend itself. Von Storch also expressed support for reinstating compulsory military service to bolster Germany’s defense readiness.

While the AfD's official program aims for the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the country, von Storch stresses this goal is aspirational and requires the prerequisite of sufficient national defense capabilities. The discussion also touches upon the critical issue of nuclear sharing, as Germany lacks its own nuclear deterrent and depends on the US for protection from nuclear threats.

The disagreement between Chrupalla and von Storch thus encapsulates a key policy challenge facing the AfD: balancing desires for sovereignty and troop withdrawals with pragmatic considerations about Germany's current security posture and alliance obligations.