Alice Weidel, Co-Chairman of Alternatives for Germany (AfD), in her fresh interview with the “Bild” journal, addressed the most crucial topics concerning the direction the organization will take in the close future.
One of the main topics of the discussion was abroad policy, especially relations with Russia. AfD has for years advocated abolishing sanctions and restoring economical cooperation with Moscow. Weide openly admitted that the organization wanted to return to trade with Russia and restart the Nord Stream pipelines:
"We want to have a very good relation with our European neighbours. We besides want a very good relation with the powers. Russia belongs to them.”
Weidel accused the current German government of escalation of tensions in relations with this country:
"What has the German government been doing against Russia for the last 3 years? He escalated tensions – verbally, financially and armedly. Since planet War II, for the first time German tanks have been going to Russia again. This is an absolute historical amnesia.”
The writer asked respective times why AfD did not see Russian threats against Germany, but Weidel consistently avoided answers:
"For 3 years German war rhetoric was directed against Russia. So what do you expect?”
Björn Höcke is 1 of the most controversial figures in German politics and his individual besides curious the writer “Bild”. In 2024, AfD under his leadership won 33% of the vote in the Thuringia election, reaching the highest score in the party's past and first taking the first place in the regional election. However, this success involves serious concerns about further radicalisation of AfD.
‘Yes, of course. I met him, and he's a man on the ground. erstwhile teacher, highly comprehensively educated. I value this in people; it is uncommon among politicians to have broad cognition or any education. That's why I respect him. In Thuringia, he's incredibly popular, that's why. He is actually a very slow-thinking man.” said Weidel
Höcke is accused of racism, neo-Naziism and negation of German Holocaust memorial policy. In 2021, his parliamentary immunity was waived after he utilized the phrase ‘Alles für Deutschland’, utilized by the Nazi SA – its usage is illegal in Germany. In 2023 he was formally charged.
In his speeches he stressed that Germany should have "not only a 1000 years past, but a 1000 years future" – referring to the rhetoric of the “Thousand of the Reich”. Höcke is besides a well-known critic of German memory policy. He publically referred to the Memorial of the Murdered Jews of Europe (Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas) in Berlin as “a memorial of shame” and called for a “180-degree change” in German memory culture. He repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of Nazi education in German schools, suggesting that Germany should regain national pride alternatively than focus on the past. He besides utilized Nazi terminology, specified as Lebensraum (lifespace) and Tat-Elite – the terms the Nazis called themselves.
The German courts ruled that calling Höcke "fascist" was not defamation. Despite all the controversy, Weidel defends Höcke and openly supports him. erstwhile asked if she would see him as a minister, she replied without hesitation:
‘Yes.’
In respective fresh polls, the alternate for Germany has a steady support of 20-21 percent. The organization enjoys the support of Elon Musk. His actions sparked a sharp reaction of the German political class, including Friedrich Merz, the leader of the CDU and the likely future chancellor of Germany. Merz warned that Musk could endure the consequences for interfering with German politics, suggesting the anticipation of political and legal steps against a billionaire after the election.
Musk first openly expressed support for AfD in December 2023, publishing an entry on the X platform he owns. He later took part in the live broadcast with AfD leader Alice Weidel and appeared virtually at a organization conference. He called Chancellor Olaf Scholz "a fool" and identifying AfD as the only force that could "save" Germany.
Musk's actions sparked a discussion on a possible illegal donation to AfD, which could violate German government on the financing of political parties. Merz suggested that the authorities should examine whether Musk's support to AfD was of a financial nature and violated the law. There may besides be consequences for Tesla's mill in Berlin if the fresh government decides to respond more decisively to the billionaire.
