The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has announced Alice Weidel as its candidate for Chancellor in the upcoming 2025 federal elections, marking the first time the party has put forward its own chancellor candidate.
Alice Weidel, serving as the federal spokesperson for the AfD, declared her candidacy at an event in Berlin on December 7, 2024. At the presentation, Tino Chrupalla, the party’s second federal spokesperson, also made an appearance. During her speech, Weidel emphasized the need to rejuvenate Germany’s economy and expressed intentions to reverse the country’s move towards greener energy. She also stated that addressing immigration would be a central focus of her campaign, critiquing it as a source of significant national challenges.
The AfD, established in 2013, has been gaining notable traction in German politics, currently positioning itself as the second most popular party after the center-right Christian Democrats. It polls between 18% and 19% in nationwide surveys. Despite this growing support, Weidel’s prospects of assuming the chancellorship remain slim, largely due to other parties’ refusal to collaborate with AfD.
The party’s stringent stance on immigration aligns with recent far-right narratives seen in Germany, including proposals from other movements to deport millions of immigrants and their descendants. This stance drew public attention last winter, inciting protests across the country. However, it also contributed to the AfD’s success in the Thuringia state election, where they secured a significant victory.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition recently collapsed, creating a political void that Weidel aims to fill. Although Scholz is currently operating with a minority government, he anticipates a confidence vote on December 16, which he is expected to lose. This anticipated outcome is set to precipitate national elections on February 23.
National frustration with Scholz’s administration, fueled by issues such as economic underperformance and internal discord, has bolstered support for the AfD. Furthermore, there is skepticism regarding Germany’s military support for Ukraine, elements which AfD leverages to galvanize its followers.
While Weidel’s nomination is historic for the AfD, it is also a signal of its aspiration to gain further political ground, particularly in the eastern regions where the party has shown strength. Notably, branches of the party in Saxony and Thuringia are under scrutiny from domestic intelligence as ‘proven right-wing extremist’ groups.
The forthcoming election sees other significant candidates entering the race, including current Chancellor Scholz from the Social Democrats, Friedrich Merz from the Christian Democrats, and Robert Habeck representing the Greens.
As Germany prepares for the 2025 federal elections, Alice Weidel’s candidacy for the AfD is set against a backdrop of political shifts and mounting economic and social challenges. Although the likelihood of her securing the chancellor position remains low due to political isolation, her nomination underscores the evolving landscape of German politics.
Source: Apnews
