Germany's AfD set to become second-largest force in Federal Convention by 2027
Germany's far-right AfD party is set to become the second-largest group in the Federal Convention by January 2027. Projections suggest the party will hold around 258 of the 1,260 seats, overtaking the SPD for the first time. This shift marks a significant change in the political balance of the assembly responsible for electing the federal president.
The Federal Convention is made up of 630 Bundestag members and an equal number of delegates from state parliaments. AfD's growing influence reflects its rising support across regional and national levels.
The party has called for reforms to the presidential election process. Instead of the current system, AfD backs a direct popular vote for the federal president. It argues the role should focus strictly on upholding the constitution and the rule of law. AfD co-leader Alice Weidel recently suggested the next president should be a unifying figure rather than one who deepens divisions. The party also insists the president must remain above party politics, commanding broad respect across society.
With nearly a quarter of the Federal Convention's seats, AfD's expanded presence will shape the 2027 presidential election. The party's push for a directly elected president and its emphasis on constitutional neutrality signal a potential shift in how the role is viewed. The outcome will depend on negotiations among the assembly's members.
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