Germany readies plan to block AfD delays of NATO troops

The German government is preparing legal contingency measures to prevent state governments led by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) from obstructing NATO troop deployments, according to multiple reports. The plans, focused on the eastern states of Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, are driven by concerns that the AfD could win control of state governments in elections scheduled for September and use its authority to delay allied military movements.

Officials reportedly fear that an AfD-led state administration could slow the transit of troops and equipment through bureaucratic tactics, such as deliberately delaying permit requests, refusing to provide police escorts for convoys, or denying military transports priority on state roads. Germany is considered a central logistics hub, or "roundabout," in NATO's Reinforcement and Sustainment Network for moving forces toward Eastern Europe. Any delay in this transit could hinder the alliance's ability to respond to a crisis.

The political context for these preparations is the AfD's strong polling in the two states. Recent surveys show the party with 41 percent support in Saxony-Anhalt, compared to 24 percent for...