Frauke Petry, the former leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), is embarking on another political venture, aiming to establish a new political party that will compete in state elections starting next year. This announcement comes after the rapid demise of her previous project, "Die Blaue" (The Blue Party).
Petry revealed that she and her associates have already laid the groundwork for this new endeavor by founding the association "Team Freiheit" (Team Freedom) several months ago. While she remained tight-lipped about the party’s official name, she assured that its ideological direction has been firmly established. The party is eyeing the state elections in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, scheduled for March 2026, as its potential debut.
In an interview with "Die Welt," Petry articulated her vision for the new party, emphasizing a perceived gap in the German political landscape. She argued that the real divide isn’t between the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the AfD, but rather in the absence of a genuinely anti-statist and libertarian political force. Petry, 49, believes her new party can fill this void by offering a program that champions a renewed commitment to Western cultural values and an anti-statist approach, serving as a positive alternative to the existing political establishment.
A key element of Petry’s platform is a radical reduction of the state’s economic footprint. She aims to decrease the "Staatsquote" – the ratio of government spending to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – from nearly 50% to 25% within five years. In the past year, Germany’s Staatsquote stood at 49.5%. Petry contends that no existing party in Germany is committed to this level of fiscal restraint while simultaneously upholding freedom of expression.
Petry’s political journey has been marked by significant shifts. She co-founded the AfD in 2013, alongside Bernd Lucke and 16 other individuals. However, internal disputes and the growing influence of the far-right wing, led by Björn Höcke, the AfD’s leader in Thuringia, prompted her to leave the party in 2017.
Following the 2017 federal election, Petry announced that she would not join the AfD’s parliamentary group in the Bundestag. Leading AfD members, including then-lead candidate Alice Weidel, welcomed this decision and suggested that Petry leave the AfD altogether. Petry remained a member of the Bundestag as an independent until 2021. During this time, she founded "Die Blaue" party, which, however, faced electoral setbacks in Saxony and Thuringia, leading to its dissolution in late 2019.
Now, Petry hopes to achieve a more successful relaunch of her political career. She stated her intention to compete in the state elections next year, starting with Baden-Württemberg. One notable aspect of her approach is the desire to recruit non-party members as candidates, particularly citizens and entrepreneurs with significant life and professional experience. These individuals would not be required to become party members. Petry believes that this approach would allow the party to represent the 98% of citizens who are not affiliated with any political party.
Petry’s emphasis on an "anti-etatist" approach signals a commitment to reducing government intervention in the economy and promoting individual liberty. This focus potentially attracts voters who are concerned about excessive regulation, high taxes, and government overreach. Her call for a "renewal of cultural Westbindung" likely resonates with voters who feel that traditional Western values are being eroded and that Germany should strengthen its ties with Western allies.
The success of Petry’s new party hinges on several factors. First, she needs to effectively communicate her vision and platform to voters. Second, she must attract qualified and credible candidates who can appeal to a broad range of voters. Third, she will have to overcome the negative associations that some voters may have with her previous involvement in the AfD. Fourth, the party needs to secure sufficient funding to mount a competitive campaign.
Petry’s political comeback attempt will be closely watched by observers of German politics. If successful, it could potentially reshape the political landscape and create a new force on the right side of the spectrum. However, she faces significant challenges in building a new party from scratch and convincing voters that her new project is different from her previous endeavors. The 2026 state elections in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate will be a crucial test of her ability to translate her vision into electoral success.
