Policy Convergence Deflates Populists

A new study estimates the AfD’s vote share would shrink by up to 75% if Germany’s CDU adopted AfD’s immigration stance. This suggests populist support is largely about policy alignment, not just protest or elite distrust, and that mainstream parties could reclaim voters by moving toward the median on immigration. — It reframes anti‑populist strategy around substantive policy convergence rather than purely anti‑extremist messaging or elite‑trust repair.