Ideology The Republicans (Germany)

1 ideology

1.1 german nationalism
1.2 economy
1.3 immigration
1.4 foreign policy

ideology

initially, republicans conservative party close csu, moderate nationalist approach. when schönhuber became leader of party, radicalised , became increasingly nationalist. positions included abolishing trade unions, reducing welfare state, expelling foreigners , returning germany s 1937 borders. latter included campaigning unification of then-existing west , east germany, helped boost party s popularity in late 1980s. party attacked european union infringement of german sovereignty following enactment of maastricht treaty. ideology of republicans characterised nationalism, although party rejects such label, instead regarding national or patriotic .

german nationalism

from outset, party saw german reunification foremost goal. party welcomed reunification when occurred in 1990, considered small reunification of west germany , central germany , party considered real east germany ostgebiete, namely former german territories in poland, russia, ukraine , czech republic. party saw 1990 reunification first step towards full reunification , return germany s 1937 borders. sought accomplish peaceful completion of german unity through negotiations , treaties these states. party did not strive inclusion of groups considered part of german ethnic community, such austrians, south tyroleans , transylvanian saxons.

economy

the economic policies of republicans largely derived of csu, , social market economy. party additionally wants reduce size of bureaucracy , state subsidies. programmes of party sought protect german agriculture, middle classes, german small businesses big corporations , monopolisation. 1990s, party increasingly started promote interests of lower classes. while maintained neo-liberal discourse , calls budget cuts, began promoting welfare chauvinism, namely funding german interests. included criticising asylum seekers, immigrants , european union taking away german money.

immigration

the republicans have criticised immigration since foundation, initial relatively moderate discourse became increasingly radical , outspoken under schönhuber , neubauer, becoming 1 of major topics of party literature. party highlighted topic of asylum seekers in 1980s, when had little importance in german political debate. number of asylum seekers increased in 1990s, did media attention on number of controversies, , major german parties agreed on stricter asylum law in december 1992. party welcomed tightening of rules, continued advocate stricter laws , criticise still high arrival numbers of considered sham refugees . party criticised muslims in particular being fundamentalist , not willing integrated, expanding sub-culture on europe.

foreign policy

in first programme, republicans supported european integration, long-term goal of turning federal state. since signing of maastricht treaty, opposition european union has become 1 of party s important issues, , turned support confederal state instead of federal one. party perceives international community hostile towards germany, , criticises considers limitations of germany s sovereignty.