Europa Press Who Is Alice Weidel, the Afd Leader Who Challenges Traditional German Politics?
Under his leadership, AfD has experienced remarkable growth, especially in eastern Germany, emerging as one of the country's main political forces.
Alice Weidel is the candidate for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the federal elections on February 23. Leader of the party in the Bundestag since 2017, she has consolidated her position with a focus on restricting immigration and skepticism toward global policies.
Under her leadership, AfD has experienced notable growth, especially in eastern Germany, emerging as one of the main political forces in the country.
Trajectory and Leadership
Before entering politics, Weidel worked in the banking and financial sector. Since the founding of AfD in 2013, the party has evolved from an anti-European Union, conservative focus to a discourse centered on rejecting mass immigration.
Weidel has been one of the key figures in this change of direction and has played an essential role in the party's expansion.
One of her most important successes has been consolidating AfD as a viable political option in Germany, achieving the party's presence in the Bundestag and regional parliaments.
Recently, AfD supported a Christian Democratic Union (CDU) bill to toughen migration policy. This evidenced a change in the attitude of some political sectors toward the party.
Rise in Polls
Despite protests and opposition from various political sectors, AfD has maintained stable support around 20% in the polls. If these results are confirmed in the elections, the party could become the second force in the Bundestag, which could complicate government formation for Friedrich Merz's CDU.
Amid the electoral campaign, Weidel has received support from international figures, such as entrepreneur Elon Musk, who has expressed his support for AfD. However, the candidate has also been criticized for her stances on issues like the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
Position in Foreign Policy
Weidel has been critical of the sanctions imposed on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, arguing that Germany has been one of the economies most affected by the conflict's consequences. Additionally, she has expressed skepticism about the role of the United States in European politics and has advocated for greater military autonomy for Germany.
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