Dealing with the far-right AfD is one of the most controversial debates in the German media landscape. At the heart of the debate lies a fundamental question: are the AfD and its leading figures truly radical, or simply conservative and populist? 

To answer this, our editor Kian Tabatabaei examined the party’s leading officials in the region, through interviews and analysis of their public statements and social media activity. The result was an article in which AfD politicians, using their own words, revealed their ideological positions. The investigation also showed how the party uses social networks to organise itself and spread its agenda, often below the radar. 

Published in the run-up to local elections, the article immediately sparked debate. The AfD accused Aachener Zeitung of biased reporting and some party officials called for a boycott. At the same time, many readers praised the depth and clarity of the journalism. The article was one of the most widely read pieces of 2025.

By closely examining those who seek political power in our region and holding them to account through their own statements, Kian’s work set a benchmark for rigorous, fair and locally rooted journalism.

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