Germany’s Far-Right AfD Is Grooming Itself for Power

In Germany, a political reality is taking shape that was long unthinkable. For the first time since World War II, a far-right party is close enough to power that it’s planning to govern rather than just grow and disrupt. To prepare for a scenario where it might rule and fill public offices, the anti-immigrant AfD is professionalizing its internal structure. But sleek organization doesn’t equal moderate politics. On the contrary, it may be about to morph into its most potent form yet: effective and radical.

The AfD has reached a critical crossroads. Despite being classified as “right-wing extremist” by German domestic intelligence, it’s now the largest opposition party in the country’s parliament and leading in many polls. Next year, five of Germany’s 16 states are holding regional elections. In two of them — both in the former East Germany — polling suggests it might win with nearly 40% of the vote, putting it within reach of an outright majority. Yet as a young party founded in 2013, it has in the past lacked the personnel to fill positions — a situation it’s now seeking to rectify at speed.