In Germany, the far-right AdG said it plans to limit the presence of Ukrainians and forge closer relations with Moscow

Germany's far-right party Alternative for Germany has announced plans to tighten migration policy, reduce the presence of Ukrainians in the country and strengthen cooperation with Russia if it wins the election. This is reported by the Financial Times.

The plans are contained in a new 156-page "government programme" presented at a party conference in Saxony-Anhalt, where, according to polls, the party could get up to 40% support.

The document says Ukrainians should no longer have refugee status in Germany and the state should incentivise their return home. It also proposes tightening migration policy and introducing the concept of "remigration", which involves deporting refuseniks, convicts and others without the right to reside.

The programme also includes promises to deter and discourage legal migration and rejects the idea of filling skills shortages in areas such as health care with workers from "culturally alien" countries.

The AdG also advocates lifting anti-Russian sanctions, resuming gas imports via the Nord Stream pipeline, Germany's withdrawal from climate agreements and increased cooperation with Moscow, including cultural and educational programmes, Russian language learning and school exchanges.

The party's main opponent, the Christian Democratic Union, has already said that the AdG coming to power would be a "catastrophe" for the region.

Experts estimate that some of the party's initiatives go beyond the powers of the state government and could be challenged in Germany's Constitutional Court, but the region's political clout makes the plans potentially significant for the entire country.

Currently, there are about 1.157 million Ukrainians in Germany who have received temporary protection. Some 471,000 Ukrainians have already left Germany since 2022.