AfD's Alice Weidel aims for governance as party leads German polls

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), led by Alice Weidel, reaffirmed its ambition to govern during their national convention on October 14, 2023, in Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia. Weidel emphasized the party's strong position in opinion polls, claiming it has become the "strongest force" with 30% support.

Party Leadership and Strategy

At the convention, Alice Weidel was re-elected as co-leader with 81.3% of the votes, slightly improving her previous performance. Her co-chair, Tino Chrupalla, received 70%, indicating a loss of support. The re-election solidifies Weidel's influence over the AfD's direction, especially with many of her supporters on the new federal board.

The newly elected board reflects a hardline strategy, with six of the 14 members linked to state branches classified as right-wing extremist by Germany's domestic intelligence. Notable figures include Jean-Pascal Hohm, who leads the youth group "Generation Deutschland," and Stefan Möller, a close ally of controversial politician Björn Höcke.

Criticism from Domestic Intelligence

The AfD faces scrutiny from Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, which has classified the party as a confirmed right-wing extremist group in five states and as suspected extremists in six others. The agency cites the party's repeated negative statements regarding democracy and attempts to undermine legal equality, particularly for migrants and minority groups.

Recent comments from Möller questioning what defines being German further fuel the controversy. He stated, "What makes someone German is decided between the ears, not on paper," highlighting the party's divisive rhetoric.

Protests and Public Response

The convention was met with large-scale protests, with tens of thousands demonstrating against the AfD's agenda. These protests were supported by trade unions, churches, and various civil society organizations. Notably, Jens-Christian Wagner, director of the Buchenwald Memorial, made a poignant remark addressing the AfD, urging them to "remigrate yourselves into the history books."

Despite the protests, Weidel's speech resonated with delegates, focusing on a critique of the German government's policies over the past two decades, particularly on energy and immigration. She called for a spirit of nationalism, urging supporters to "drape the entire country in black, red, and gold," the colors of the German flag.