Overview

• The AfD's federal executive board has proposed dissolving its current youth wing, Junge Alternative (JA), and establishing a new organization under stricter party oversight.
• The JA, founded in 2013, has been classified as a 'proven right-wing extremist' group by Germany's domestic intelligence agency, raising legal and reputational concerns for the AfD.
• The proposed restructuring would make all AfD members under 36 automatically part of the new youth organization, ensuring greater control and alignment with the party's goals.
• Party leaders argue the move is a preemptive measure to protect young members from potential legal consequences if the JA were to face a government ban.
• The proposal will be voted on at the AfD's national party congress in January, requiring a two-thirds majority to pass.