Germany's political scene is heating up as Alice Weidel, the leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, positions herself strategically before the upcoming Bundestag elections. Weidel, who has recently expressed her hopes for significant electoral gains, stated, "Ich glaube, wir werden ein sehr, sehr gutes Ergebnis einfahren" (I believe we will achieve a very, very good result) during her appearance on the ZDF program "Was nun?". Current polls place the AfD around 20 to 22 percent, with Weidel setting her sight on capturing 25 percent of the seats, which would enable her party to launch its own investigations in the Bundestag, particularly concerning the handling of issues like the gas pipeline explosions and the country's pandemic response.
Addressing the potential for collaboration, Weidel extended her proposal for the CDU to join forces, stating emphatically, "Meine Hand ist ausgestreckt. Man kann in Verhandlungen eintreten" (My hand is stretched out. One can enter negotiations). She emphasized the need for cooperation to enable her party's agenda, criticizing CDU leader Friedrich Merz for maintaining what she described as a "Brandmauer" (firewall) against potential coalitions with the AfD. Weidel argued this approach would be detrimental to the country’s political future, rendering it impossible to effectuate real change.
Her bold stance of possibly serving as a junior partner raised eyebrows, particularly since the CDU has consistently excluded the AfD from any coalition discussions. Weidel's overtures were met with skepticism; she acknowledged the challenges posed by the CDU’s historic reluctance to collaborate with her party.
Weidel’s remarks also touched on fiscal policies, where she rebutted claims of her party's program incurring unsustainable financial burdens. Citing alternative savings measures, she suggested the AfD could manage with 100 to 110 billion euros instead of the 180 billion projected by various economic institutions. Her assertions indicate the AfD's plan to significantly reduce spending, particularly on foreign aid, and eliminate welfare benefits for non-German citizens.
Despite high-profile endorsements, including from American billionaire Elon Musk, who has openly criticized rival politicians, Weidel confirmed, "Nein, ich bin nicht eingeladen ins Weiße Haus" (No, I am not invited to the White House), reflecting her distance from mainstream diplomatic circles. Nevertheless, she described her relationship with both Western powers and China as favorable, highlighting her party's call for pragmatic foreign engagement without compromising German interests.
Beyond discussions of coalition and foreign policy, Weidel's recent public rally drew about 700 supporters adorned with German flags who rallied behind her promise of non-participation in supplying military aid abroad. She pledged, "Es werden keine Waffen in Kriegsgebiete geliefert" (No weapons will be delivered to war zones), portraying her party as champions of national sovereignty and interest. Meanwhile, protests organized by local activists presented sharp opposition, advocating for democratic values and questioning the AfD's status as a legitimate political entity.
Weidel's party is currently viewed with suspicion by the German intelligence service as having potential far-right extremism, compliciting her party's public image efforts. Protest leader Hans-Christian von Steinaecker declared, "Wir wollen ein Zeichen setzen, dass wir die AfD nicht als demokratische Partei akzeptieren" (We want to send a signal we do not accept the AfD as a democratic party), illustrating the tensions surrounding her leadership.
Within these turbulent currents, Weidel herself remains conscious of her public persona, humorously dismissing claims of her party’s right-wing extremism with the statement, "Ich bin supernett" (I am super nice). Her strategy as she navigates these complex political waters reflects not only her ambitions for the AfD as a powerful player but also the discontent and divisions within German politics as the election nears.