In a bold statement following recent electoral successes, Alice Weidel, co-president of the Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) party, has issued a warning to the European Union, suggesting Germany could consider leaving the bloc if certain conditions are not met.
The AfD, founded in 2013 as a Eurosceptic party, has seen a significant rise in support, particularly in eastern German states. On September 1, 2024, the party achieved a notable victory in Thuringia, coming close to winning in Saxony as well. These results mark the strongest performance for a far-right party in Germany since the 1930s.
Weidel stated, "Germany, to survive, does not need the EU. The EU, in contrast, needs Germany. The EU needs to behave accordingly. Only under these conditions will Germany's exit from the EU be rendered not necessary." She emphasized that a potential "Dexit" - a German version of Brexit - would be a last resort, with the party's primary goal being EU reform.
The AfD's rise has caused concern among other political parties in Germany. Despite the party's electoral gains, all other parties in Thuringia have refused to form coalitions with the AfD, maintaining a political "firewall" against the far-right. This stance extends to the federal level, where a similar approach would likely be taken even if the AfD were to win national elections.
Weidel criticized this isolation, calling it "profoundly antidemocratic" and arguing that it ignores the will of a significant portion of the electorate. She defended the AfD against accusations of extremism, stating, "These are baseless accusations."
However, Germany's domestic intelligence service, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), has classified the AfD as "proven Right-wing extremists" and has been observing the party since 2021. Björn Höcke, the AfD's leader in Thuringia, has been convicted of using Nazi slogans in the past.
The AfD's success has implications for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government, which faces challenges a year before the September 2025 federal elections. The center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is expected to perform strongly in these elections.
As Germany grapples with these political developments, the country's role as the largest economy and most populous member of the European Union adds weight to the AfD's statements. The party's stance on EU membership and reform continues to be a contentious issue in German politics.
"We don't want to destroy things, we want to reform them. But that will happen only if our European partners understand that they must respect our vital interests."
The ongoing debate surrounding the AfD's position in German politics and its potential impact on Germany's relationship with the EU is likely to remain a significant topic in the coming months leading up to the federal elections.