As delegates to a congress of the far-right Alternative for Germany voted for the executive committee of the new party youth organization, candidates struck a staunchly right-wing tone, leading to bizarre and chilling scenes on Saturday.

Kevin Dorow, a young AfD politician from the state of Schleswig-Holstein elected to the leadership committee of the Generation Deutschland (GD), the new AfD youth organization, called on members not to distance themselves from the so-called periphery or "those who fight for the same goals as us outside the established party structures." Opponents favour such demarcations, he said.

"Youth must be led by youth, and this principle must be our guiding star," said Dorow, referring to previous comments by AfD lawmakers. "This youth organisation, dear friends, will be the spearhead of the young right in Germany," he added to loud cheers from those present.

"Youth is led by youth" was the principle of the so-called Bündische Jugend (German Youth Movement) in the Weimar period and later also of the Hitler Youth.

Demand for more deportations

Mio Trautner from the state of Baden-Württemberg demanded "that deportations in the state finally begin, that the runways in Germany glow." There was thunderous applause for the statement by candidate Julia Gehrkens, who was also elected to the GD executive committee, who said, "Only millions of remigrations will protect our women and children!"

New board member Cedric Krippner also received loud applause when he called for "millions of remigrations." "We must deport, deport, deport, until Germany becomes our home again," said Helmut Strauf, also a member of the GD board.

Bizarre appearance criticized

A questionable appearance by Alexander Eichwald, who also ran for the board but was not elected, caused confusion and criticism in Giessen.

Eichwald took to the podium with a speech reminiscent of Nazi Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler. He addressed the participants as "party comrades" and called out to the hall, "We share our love and loyalty to Germany here together." He said, "it is and remains our national duty to protect German culture from foreign influences," in a statement that met sharp criticism from the hall.