AGI Profiles: Torben Braga

Lukas Liebscher

Halle Foundation/AGI Intern

Lukas Liebscher is a Halle Foundation research intern at AGI in fall 2024. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Media Studies at the University of Regensburg, Germany. This fall, he is part of the Washington Semester Program at American University where he is studying international relations, public policy, and the United States. Mr. Liebscher's research focuses on transatlantic relations, foreign and security policy, and global diplomacy. Prior to joining AGI, he worked as a research assistant and later as an office manager for a member of the Bavarian Parliament, where he gained extensive experience in legislative processes, political communication, and public administration. Mr. Liebscher has been actively involved in international projects, such as Model United Nations conferences in Regensburg and New York and the Washington Summer Symposium at the Osgood Center for International Studies in Washington, DC. He has also participated in strategic scenario planning projects, gaining valuable insight into global political dynamics and strategic decision-making. In his free time, Mr. Liebscher is involved with the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP e.V.) and student groups in Regensburg focused on international relations and security policy.

Member of the Thuringian State Parliament and Parliamentary Manager for the AfD

Torben Braga is a German politician affiliated with the Alternative for Germany (Alternative für Deutschland, AfD). He serves as a member of the Thuringian state parliament (Landtag) and is the parliamentary manager of the AfD faction there. Additionally, Braga holds the position of deputy chairman of the AfD’s Thuringian state association and is a spokesperson for the state board. Working closely with key party figures like Björn Höcke and Stefan Möller, he is part of the core leadership shaping the party’s modus operandi in Thuringia.

Early Life and Education

Born in 1991 in Niterói, Brazil, Braga grew up in a multicultural environment. He attended the German School in Rio de Janeiro and graduated in 2010. Braga then moved to Germany to study political science and public law at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, and he continued his education in political science at the Philipps University in Marburg, graduating with a Master of Arts degree in 2018. During his time in Jena, he became a member of the Germania Jena and later in Marburg joined the Burschenschaft Germania Marburg. Both are traditional German student fraternities. Braga still holds membership of Germania Marburg, but left Germania Jena in 2023, presumably because of the Marburg fraternity’s far-right thinking, which became a problem for the group in Jena. Braga is not married, has no children, and currently lives in Ronneburg, Thuringia.

Involvement with Fraternities

Braga’s university years were marked by active participation in those student fraternities, known in Germany as Burschenschaften or Studentenverbindungen. They have played a significant role in shaping Germany’s political and cultural history. Emerging from medieval university traditions, they initially fostered a sense of regional identity among students and contributed to the development of concepts such as honor, camaraderie, and intellectual engagement. By the early nineteenth century, these fraternities evolved into politically active organizations, particularly the Burschenschaften, which were instrumental in promoting German unification and nationalist ideals. Inspired by the revolutionary spirit following the Napoleonic Wars, members of Burschenschaften organized events such as the Hambach Festival (1832) and participated in the German Revolutions of 1848, which, although unsuccessful in achieving unification, laid the groundwork for future nationalist movements and helped propagate ideas of democracy, national unity, and freedom across the German states. Throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the role of Studentenverbindungen in German society shifted as they became more entrenched in both the academic and political fabric of the country. While some fraternities, particularly the Corps, remained more focused on personal development and social commitment, others took on explicitly political stances, with certain groups, such as the Burschenschaften, embracing nationalist and, later, anti-Semitic ideologies. The radicalization of some fraternities during the Weimar Republic contributed to their alignment with nationalist movements, including the rise of National Socialism.

Braga joined the Marburger Burschenschaft Germania and began early on to demonstrate a penchant for leadership positions. In 2014 he became the president of the Marburger Waffenring, an association of fraternities in Marburg. In 2015, he was appointed as the spokesperson for the Deutsche Burschenschaft (DB), an umbrella organization of fraternities that has faced criticism for harboring far-right tendencies. His roles within these organizations reflect his deep engagement with these traditional nationalist circles.

Political Career

Braga’s transition into AfD party politics began after his departure from the Free Democratic Party (Freie Demokratische Partei, FDP) in 2015. Initially attracted to the FDP due to his Euroskeptic views influenced by politician Frank Schäffler, Braga grew disillusioned with the party’s stance on European integration and domestic issues. The FDP leadership’s discouragement of members sympathetic to movements like PEGIDA prompted him to seek a new political home. In 2015, Braga joined the AfD and undertook an internship with the Freedom Party of Austria (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs, FPÖ) in Vienna, a party known for its right-wing populist positions. His involvement with the FPÖ provided him with insights into European right-wing politics. By 2016, Braga had secured a position as an assessor on the state board of AfD Thuringia, often referred to as the “Höcke-AfD” due to the influence of regional leader Björn Höcke. Serving as the press spokesperson for the AfD state party, Braga became an integral part of the party’s communication strategy.

He won his first election to the Landtag in 2019, when the AfD got 29.2 percent in the Saalfeld-Rudolstadt II constituency. In November 2020, he was elected deputy speaker of the AfD’s Thuringian state association and appointed as Parliamentary Managing Director of the AfD faction in the Thuringian Parliament. In the 2021 federal elections, Braga was placed fourth on the Thuringian AfD’s party list for the Bundestag. He also ran for the direct mandate in the constituency of Jena-Sömmerda – Weimarer Land I. Despite a strong campaign, he narrowly missed winning the seat for the Bundestag, resulting in his continued service in the Thuringian State Parliament rather than moving to the federal level. Most recently, Braga was re-elected in the Thuringian state elections, securing a notable 42.8 percent of the vote. With the Bundestag elections on the horizon—and the possibility of Björn Höcke moving to the federal level—it seems plausible that Braga could be positioned to take on a leadership role within the AfD in Thuringia. However, this remains speculative and is based on potential political dynamics rather than any concrete indications at present.

Parliamentary Roles and Responsibilities

Beyond his legislative duties, Braga has held numerous influential positions that have shaped Thuringian governance. From 2019 to 2024, he served on the Board of Trustees for the Thuringian State Agency for Political Education, where he helped to shape political education, which aims, among other things, to strengthen democratic and political awareness in Thuringia. He also acted as a deputy member of both the European Committee and the Justice Committee of the Thuringian Landtag. In this context, the AfD and Braga have not yet exercised significant influence over judicial appointments and EU issues. However, there is growing concern among the broader German public that such influence could become a reality in the future, prompting calls for stronger safeguards to protect the independence of the judiciary in Germany. Additionally, throughout both his previous and current legislative terms, Braga has been a member of the Election Audit Committee. This role has allowed him to oversee and ensure the integrity of the electoral process over several years.

Rapid Career Advancement

Braga’s swift ascent within the AfD and his accumulation of influential positions have been notable. Observers have pointed to networks within student fraternities and conservative circles that often facilitate such rapid career development in German politics. He is connected to prominent figures like Götz Kubitschek and Philip Stein, influential personalities within Germany’s New Right movement known for their publishing activities and organizational roles in right-wing networks. It has been reported that in 2014, Kubitschek and Stein assisted Braga by introducing him to key figures within the AfD, including facilitating his role as a spokesperson for Björn Höcke. These connections have reinforced Braga’s position within the party and aligned him with its nationalist-conservative faction.

Political Positions and Activities

Braga’s political stance is characterized by conservative and nationalist views. He has been a critic of the German government’s pandemic response, viewing restrictions as infringements on civil liberties, describing the COVID-19 pandemic as a politically induced crisis. In terms of fiscal policy, Braga promotes tax cuts and reduced bureaucracy, opposing taxes he believes hinder economic growth, such as property and inheritance taxes. He calls for a reassessment of state expenditures, particularly in areas like international cooperation and migration. Regarding immigration policy, Braga supports stringent immigration controls, proposing policies similar to Japan’s restrictive system. He believes immigration policy should be geared to the needs of one’s own society and economy and advocates for effective border security and the deportation of individuals without legal residency status. Focusing on internal security, he concentrates on combating left-wing extremism. He claims that the AfD highlights neglected issues and offers alternative perspectives on internal security, identifying left-wing extremism as the main threat.

Controversies and Associations

Braga’s career has not been without controversy. His connections with Björn Höcke, Götz Kubitschek, and Philip Stein place him within networks scrutinized for nationalist and far-right ideologies. Meetings with organizations like “Wir lieben Meiningen,” which have faced criticism for extremist affiliations, have drawn attention. Braga has maintained that such interactions were conducted for informational purposes to inform parliamentary debates. These associations have raised concerns about the AfD’s relationship with extremist elements and the potential normalization of far-right ideologies within mainstream politics.

Conclusion

Torben Braga’s political journey reflects a conscious association with nationalist, conservative ideals. He represents—and has nurtured since his early involvement in student fraternities—a segment of German politics that emphasizes national sovereignty, cultural conservatism, and suspicion toward globalization and multiculturalism. His stance on immigration, fiscal policy, and civil liberties appeals to German voters seeking alternatives to established parties. Braga’s actions now contribute to broader discussions about the rise of populism and nationalism in Germany. His rapid rise within the AfD demonstrates how networks formed through far-right fraternities influence political figures. In Thuringia, his policy development continues to shape the course of German politics. His unwavering commitment to his beliefs ensures he will remain a key and polarizing figure in the national conversation, particularly as the focus turns to next year’s German elections.