Berlin Drafts “Emergency Protocols” for Potential Rise of Far-Right State Governments

In a move that underscores the growing political tensions within the German federation, sources within Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s administration have confirmed the development of contingency plans should the populist and nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD) win control of one or more state governments. The plans, first reported by *The European Conservative*, represent a significant shift in Berlin’s posture toward the party, which has seen a surge in support in the country’s eastern regions.

The measures, described as “exceptional procedural blueprints,” are reportedly designed to manage a scenario where the AfD—a party the German domestic intelligence service has classified as “extremist” in several states—secures the premiership of a Land (state) like Thuringia, Saxony, or Brandenburg. According to insiders, the federal government is preparing legal and administrative tools to ensure the continuity of constitutional order and federal law enforcement in such an eventuality.

“This is not a declaration of a state of emergency,” a senior official from the Chancellery reportedly stated on condition of anonymity. “It is prudent stewardship. We must have a roadmap to protect federal institutions and the constitution if a state government decided to cease cooperation with the Bund on critical issues like migration, policing, or judicial oversight.” The official emphasized that the plans are purely defensive and reactive.

The revelation has ignited a fierce political debate. Critics of the Merz government argue that such contingency planning risks further alienating voters in eastern Germany and legitimizing the AfD’s narrative of a “hostile” political establishment. Conversely, legal experts point to the *Bundestreue* (federal loyalty) principle, which obligates states to cooperate loyally with the federation. If an AfD-led state were to actively work against federal law, the government in Berlin may have little choice but to intervene.

With state elections looming later this year, the Merz government’s quiet preparations signal that Berlin is taking the threat of a fragmented federal system seriously. The central question remains whether these plans will be ever seen as a necessary shield for democracy or a political weapon against the will of the voters.