Bernd Alexander Gauland (born February 20, 1941) is a German politician who is a co-founder and leading figure of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Known for his nationalist and right-wing populist views, Gauland has been a prominent voice in German politics since the AfD's inception.
Early Life and Education: Gauland was born in Chemnitz, Germany. He studied history, political science, and law at the University of Marburg and the University of Giessen. He completed his state examination in law in 1966 and earned his doctorate in law in 1970.
Early Political Career (CDU): Before co-founding the AfD, Gauland was a long-standing member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) for over 40 years. He served as the head of the press and information office for the state of Hesse and later as chief of staff to then-Prime Minister of Hesse, Walter Wallmann, from 1987 to 1991. He left the CDU in 2012, expressing disillusionment with the party's direction under Angela Merkel, particularly regarding the Eurozone crisis.
Founding of the AfD: In 2013, Gauland was among the co-founders of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which initially focused on Euroscepticism. The party soon shifted its focus to opposition to immigration and multiculturalism, and Gauland became a key ideologue and public face of this transformation.
Leadership and Bundestag:
- Bundestag Member: Gauland was elected to the German Bundestag (federal parliament) in the 2017 federal election, representing the state of Brandenburg. He served until 2021.
- Parliamentary Group Leader: From 2017 to 2021, he served as co-leader of the AfD's parliamentary group in the Bundestag, alongside Alice Weidel.
- Party Co-Leader: From December 2017 to November 2019, Gauland served as co-federal spokesman (co-leader) of the AfD, alongside Jörg Meuthen. He chose not to seek re-election for the party leadership in 2019 but remained an influential figure within the party.
Political Positions and Controversies: Gauland is a vocal proponent of a conservative and nationalist agenda. He is known for his sharp criticism of German immigration policies, Islam, and the European Union. He has been the subject of numerous controversies due to his statements, which have often been labeled as inflammatory or revisionist:
- Immigration: He frequently advocates for strict immigration controls and assimilation, often using terms like "invasion" to describe the influx of refugees.
- German History: Gauland has made controversial remarks downplaying the significance of the Nazi era, famously stating that "Hitler and the Nazis are just a bird dropping in over a thousand years of successful German history." He has also criticized the culture of remembrance regarding the Holocaust.
- National Identity: He emphasizes a strong German national identity and criticizes multiculturalism, suggesting that German society should not change to accommodate immigrants.
- "Boat People": In 2018, he stated that former German national football team player Jérôme Boateng (who has a Ghanaian father) was "not accepted as a next-door neighbor" by people, a statement widely condemned as racist.
Despite his retirement from formal leadership positions in the Bundestag and the party, Gauland remains an elder statesman and influential figure within the AfD, continuing to shape its ideological direction.