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The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) wrapped up its party conference in Erfurt over the weekend, with Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla confirmed as co-leaders. The gathering served as a platform for Weidel to rally the party ahead of upcoming state elections, while separate reports quote her calling for the German government to resign amid low public support.
Coverage Comparison
Deutsche Welle reported that the two-day meeting in Erfurt concluded with Weidel consolidating her position, increasing her support among members and placing allies in key posts. The outlet framed the event against a backdrop of "power struggles and scandals," noting that the AfD continues to be beset by controversies, including a recent photo of a senior figure giving a Hitler salute and questions raised about the Germanness of non-white players in the national team. The party remains under monitoring by Germany's domestic intelligence services, which consider its ethnic nationalist views unconstitutional.
In a separate report, Russian state news agency TASS quoted Weidel at an AfD campaign event in Magdeburg, where she stated that the German government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) should resign. She cited an approval rating of 15% and argued the government "has no support whatsoever."
Key Claims
- At the Erfurt conference, Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla were confirmed as party leaders, as reported by Deutsche Welle.
- Protests against the party conference took place in Erfurt, according to Deutsche Welle.
- The AfD is leading in some polls, as noted by both Deutsche Welle and TASS.
- TASS reported that Weidel called for the government to resign at a campaign event in Magdeburg, saying, "With an approval rating of 15%, a situation like this has never happened before. This German government would be better off resigning tomorrow, because it has no support whatsoever."
- Weidel expressed support for reforming the European Union, stating, "We must clearly state what we want. We, as the Alternative for Germany, want to restore the sovereignty of states within the union," as quoted by TASS. She specifically opposed the EU's ban on internal combustion engines, arguing it would destroy Germany's auto industry.
- Deutsche Welle reported that Weidel said at the conference, "With black, red and gold, we are heading into the snap federal election with our national colors. We will stake a claim to government, because we are the strongest force."