In the midst of unprecedented geopolitical transformations, the right-wing, anti-globalist party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) is calling for Germany to forge its own nuclear arsenal and reestablish universal military conscription, inclusive of women. As Europe’s reliance on the United States for security becomes increasingly precarious, this stance is gaining attention.
During an interview with the German news outlet T-Online on Thursday, March 6th, AfD Member of Parliament Rüdiger Lucassen, a former Bundeswehr colonel and the party’s leading defense expert, emphasized that Germany can no longer solely depend on America’s nuclear protection.
“If the U.S. steps back, Europe must step up,” Lucassen proclaimed, advocating for an autonomous European security framework with Germany at its helm. “We need our own nuclear deterrent, a European command structure, and a military capable of defending itself. That means changing the Basic Law—fast.”
Lucassen clarified that while he isn’t suggesting any immediate threat from Russia, it’s a possibility that Germany’s leaders must prudently prepare for. His sentiments were echoed by Hannes Gnauk, another AfD Bundestag member, who also supports Germany having its own nuclear weapons. Gnauk’s perspective on Russia differs slightly from Lucassen’s, promoting pragmatic economic relations while acknowledging Russia as neither friend nor foe.
AfD, now the second-largest party in the Bundestag after the recent elections, insists that if the United States withdraws from NATO under President Trump, Germany should take on a leading role within the remaining alliance.
Meanwhile, Germany’s mainstream parties, including the SPD and CDU/CSU, are exploring ways to enhance the nation’s defense capabilities, underscoring that national security is becoming a pivotal issue due to the swiftly evolving global dynamics under Trump’s leadership.
Lucassen also proposed reinstating mandatory military service for both men and women to bolster Germany’s security.
“The AfD’s triple-A: “Atomwaffen (Nuclear weapons). Atomkraft (Nuclear power). Abschieben (Deportation).”
— Tomasz Froelich (@TomaszFroelich)
March 5, 2025
With energy costs skyrocketing due to left-liberal policies that shuttered Germany’s nuclear plants and cut off affordable Russian gas, the AfD plans to reverse course by restoring relations with Russia, repairing the damaged Nord Stream pipeline, and reviving nuclear energy production.
As Europe’s industrial powerhouse, Germany has suffered economically from rising energy expenses, leading major companies to lay off a significant number of employees.
These developments come shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron, responding to shifts in U.S. foreign policy under President Trump, reiterated his advocacy for a unified nuclear deterrent in Europe. Macron asserted that France must acknowledge its “special status” as possessing Europe’s most capable army and nuclear arsenal. Following the UK’s exit from the EU, France remains the bloc’s sole nuclear power.
Currently, France allocates approximately $6.04 billion annually to maintain its 290 nuclear weapons, which include both submarine- and air-launched systems, ranking it as the fourth-largest stockpile globally. About 15% of France’s defense budget supports its nuclear forces’ maintenance and modernization.
