AfD pushes to scrap EU direct elections and shrink European Commission
Germany's far-right AfD has unveiled a platform calling for the abolition of direct elections to the European Parliament and a drastic reduction of the European Commission’s powers.
In a policy document, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) outlined a sweeping reform agenda for the European Union. The party wants to eliminate direct elections for the European Parliament, installing representatives chosen by national legislatures instead. It proposes that the European Commission be reduced to a secretariat handling only administrative duties, with major decisions shifted to member-state governments.
Additional measures include slashing the EU budget, freezing agency staffing, dismantling certain EU bodies, and substituting the European Court of Justice with an arbitration tribunal. AfD also threatens to wield Germany’s veto to block EU revenues from VAT and plastic-waste taxes, and to demand exemptions from EU policies on migration, fiscal matters, defence and digital euro. The plan cites the 2029 European and German federal elections as a possible launch point, and warns of a referendum on Germany’s EU membership if reforms are refused.
Why it matters
The AfD’s agenda could reshape EU governance and affect Germany’s role in Europe.
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