On the eve of the upcoming Bundestag elections, the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party is facing significant scrutiny over the leadership and personal life of the candidate for Chancellor, Alice Weidel. While Weidel has gained unanimous support within the party for candidacy, controversies surrounding her lifestyle and the party's stance on family structures are surfacing.
During the latest party convention, members openly discussed their discomfort with Weidel's same-sex relationship, which is not regarded equally by many within the party. Weidel lives with her partner, Sarah Bossard, and they are raising two sons together. The party's resolution to elaborate on the concept of family has been met with mixed reactions, demonstrating the ideological fractures within the party itself. Originally, the AfD’s campaign slogan simply stated, "The family is the nucleus of society." This was sufficiently inclusive for Weidel, but delegates amended it during the congress to mirror stricter traditional views: "The family, consisting of father, mother, and children, is the nucleus of society." This change prompted criticism and discussions about whether the party is truly welcoming of different family models.
Wiebke Muhsal, a member of the Thuringian AfD and known for her traditional views, was one of the key figures to voice opposition during the convention. She firmly asserted, "Father, mother, and child must be it,” drawing applause from other delegates, as she lamented the original language as reflecting today's societal decay. This statement not only underscored the ideological tensions within the AfD but also highlighted how closely personal ideologies translate to political expression within the party.
Weidel responded to these controversies by emphasizing her belief. "For me, family is where children are,” she stated, reinforcing her view to the party delegates. Although her words sought to bridge the gap, the discussions highlighted significant divisions within the AfD’s wider family policies.
Further complicate matters, Weidel found herself on the receiving end of unexpected controversy during the ZDF’s live political program, “Wie geht's, Deutschland?” where she was confronted by questions about family and employment roles. A working mother from Bremen raised concerns about the state of early childhood education, criticizing both the logistical constraints on working parents and what she viewed as insufficient support from current government policies.
During this public engagement, just as Weidel attempted to answer, another voice interrupted, exclaiming, "Yes, are you going to promote Nazi ideology now?" This remark caused confusion and disruption within the studio. Moderator Dunja Hayali quickly intervened, attempting to regain control of the discussion. Weidel appeared taken aback by the comment, remarking on the interruption, “He just said Nazi.”
Despite the tumult, Weidel eventually addressed the mother’s query, stating the AfD's commitment to prioritizing the compatibility of work and family, asserting the need for the state to support childcare fees. "The state has enough money; we need to invest more significantly for daycare places," she said, which elicited laughter from the audience. The mother replied, raising additional criticisms about the party’s childcare proposals, pointing out the contradictions between their policies and the reality faced by parents.
The swift changes to the party’s family policy, combined with intense internal conflict over Weidel’s lifestyle choices, might show how the AfD seeks to navigate between modern expectations and traditional values. The party's leadership, represented unambiguously by Weidel, appears to be at odds with the conservative wing represented by Muhsal, encapsulating the broader societal tensions over family and identity. With the elections approaching, how Weidel manages these controversies will be pivotal, not only for her campaign but also for the AfD’s standing on the national stage.