AfD Launches Controversial Youth Wing 'Generation Deutschland' Amid Protests and Extremist Concerns

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has inaugurated its new youth organization, 'Generation Deutschland' (GD), at an event in Gießen marked by significant protests and public scrutiny. The youth wing is intended to replace the disbanded Junge Alternative, whose independence and extremist tendencies drew criticism, including classification by Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution as "secured right-wing extremist." The GD notably restricts membership to AfD party members under 36 years old and aims to function as a “cadre training ground” for future party leadership positions, prioritizing strict party discipline.

Jean-Pascal Hohm, a 28-year-old from Brandenburg labeled a right-wing extremist by local intelligence services, has been named federal chairman. His leadership circle includes individuals with similar radical right affiliations. Despite official distancing efforts, the GD remains closely linked with figures such as Björn Höcke, a prominent Thüringen AfD politician with extremist credentials, who advocates a nationalist and ethnocultural vision of the German nation alongside right-wing publisher Götz Kubitschek.

The founding congress encountered protests met with substantial police force, including batons, water cannons, and pepper spray, leading to injuries among officers and demonstrators. The authorities defended their actions as necessary to prevent escalation, while leftist groups accused police of excessive violence. Parliamentary observers differed in their assessment of police conduct and criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz's portrayal of the protests as extremist clashes.

The event also featured a controversial speech by Alexander Eichwald, whose nationalist rhetoric and delivery evoked associations with extremist symbolism. Eichwald, under consideration for a board position, could face expulsion from the AfD over concerns that his remarks contravened party principles.

A notable gender disparity within GD emerged, with women representing only about 5% of delegates. Julia Gehrckens, despite being a rare female voice, received enthusiastic support for her hardline positions on migration and women’s safety, underscoring the continuation of extreme ideological tendencies within the youth organization.

The launch of Generation Deutschland thus illustrates the AfD's efforts to maintain influence among younger supporters while trying to manage internal extremist perceptions and external political pressure amid public resistance and societal controversy.