Germany’s AfD is weighing dialing back talk of leaving the EU and the eurozone in favor of reforming European institutions from within. The shift follows its September result in Saxony-Anhalt and the rise of similar radical-right parties across Europe, according to reports citing Reuters.

As the party draws closer to a possible role in federal government before the end of the decade, leadership faces pressure to soften the message. Co-leader Alice Weidel last month presented the “New Deal for Europe” strategy paper in Strasbourg with allies in the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group, calling for renegotiated treaties and a more flexible union with greater national autonomy.

Ideas include opt-outs from common policies (including defense and migration), tighter budget rules and, if reforms fail, a referendum on Germany’s European course. The paper does not rule out keeping the euro; Weidel spoke of a “Europe of fatherlands” without confirming whether AfD still seeks a Dexit.

AfD MP Sebastian Münzenmaier said “never since the end of World War II have the prospects of reforming the EU according to our vision been better.” The path echoes softer euroscepticism at France’s National Rally, Italy’s Brothers of Italy and Austria’s FPÖ — which analyst Wolfgang Schroeder sees as a model for AfD.

Younger members also cite Germany’s export dependence and the single market. Jean-Pascal Hohm, head of Generation Deutschland, called scrapping the common currency “completely utopian” and damaging. Strategy papers and presentations are not yet a formal programme change: the 2025 election platform still called for leaving the euro, and a party congress may decide only next year.

Source: AfD’s EU strategy (Săptămâna Financiară); confirmation: The AfD’s retreat on exiting the euro shows how it’s eyeing power (POLITICO)