Two days ago....AfD published a list of promises....to sell their brand nationally. My humble view after each:
- Term limit for professional politicians. They will not be able to live off the State for more than eight years.
Getting all of the parties to agree to this...near zero. If you asked working-class Germans....they might prioritize this...but it won't be a top-ten thing.
- Europe of sovereign states, or an exit if that is not possible.
Exiting the EU? There might be 30-to-35 percent of people who will sit and listen to the idea...maybe bulk of them agreeing in some ways. I remember the era prior to the 1990s, and will say....there's various positive things that the EU delivered.
- End of the euro as a common currency.
Around a decade ago....you could ask and probably 10-percent of Germans felt the DM was a better deal than the Euro. Today? I'm not sure how people would see the idea.
- Total border control.
Requires a massive manpower situation....probably over 25,000 hirees. Police have openly said....they would do the job on a temp-basis (like 6 to 12 months) but if it were permanent....you need a hired-up crew. Budget for this? Doesn't exist.
Priority among Germans? Likely two-thirds of people support this idea.
- Asylum processed outside the EU.
Curious wording....you could not apply for asylum....unless you did it beyond the EU 'borders'. You'd have to have a workable deportation program....something marginally working at present. Sounds good on paper until you push for fixing deporation.
- Remigration of criminals and people without residence rights.
Public opinion....I believe 75-percent of Germans support the idea.
- Tax cuts.
First, you'd have to have budget cuts.....where?
- Energy: nuclear energy, coal, repairs to Nord Stream, no more CO₂ tax, no more ban on combustion engines.
Seen popular in different ways by the public. Fixing N-S....probably occurs....ONLY after the war ends. As for nuke energy? It's hyped as 'evil'....so you'd have to resolve this belief. The ban on combustion engines? It's killing the auto-industry.
I should mention here....Germany already has one of the highest grid cost rates of any EU country...presently.
- Pro-nationalist policy.
Might be supported by 40-percent of the pubic. Half of the media would utter 'nazi' when discussed.
- Promotion of German culture, protection of the German language
Probably in conflict with one-third of German voters.
- Expulsion of Muslims who reject the German legal system. No to sharia courts
If you explain Sharia....I doubt that more than 10-percent of Germans support some creation. If you asked Syrian-Germans....more than half probably would say they'd really rather not have such a 'problem' existing.
- Reinforcement of the police
Merkel hired 10,000 new state/federal police....right before Covid. My question....that effort was difficult because of quality required for recruits.....where would you find another 10,000 to 15,000 additional folks for the job. I agree....it's needed.
- Zero tolerance for foreign criminals and mafias.
I'd say they are already ten years too late. Public would support this.
