New election: AfD relies on Weidel for the election campaign

With Alice Weidel, the AfD has nominated a candidate for chancellor for a federal election for the first time. According to the party, the AfD federal executive board and the state chairmen decided unanimously in Berlin to propose the 45-year-old for election at the upcoming party conference in Riesa in January. According to police, around 200 people protested against the AfD during the event in front of the AfD federal headquarters in northern Berlin.

Weidel speaks of a government mandate

“Today is a big day for the party and a big day for Germany,” said Weidel after the candidate selection at a joint press conference with her co-party leader Tino Chrupalla. She referred to the AfD’s poll numbers. This results in a government mandate. Chrupalla spoke of a historic day and said that they saw themselves “as a team with one striker”. He will support the team as a libero “so that our striker scores as many goals as possible and becomes the top scorer.” Weidel described herself as a team player.

First candidacy for chancellor, primarily with a symbolic character

It is the first time in the AfD’s almost twelve-year history that it has named a candidate for chancellor. Weidel announced the plans when asked in an interview in the summer of 2023, when her party increasingly came into focus due to significantly increased poll numbers. Nationwide, the AfD is currently between 18 and 19 percent, in second place behind the Union with 32 to 33 percent. After the traffic light goes out, an early election for the Bundestag is planned for February 23rd.

Since there are no majorities in sight for an AfD chancellor in the Bundestag because no party with the AfD would vote for it, Weidel’s candidacy is primarily symbolic. A candidate for chancellor can attract more media attention and possibly also mobilize more supporters. Weidel said that the party base expects to run with a candidate for chancellor.

Weidel in the Chancellery? “Music of the future”

She had previously answered questions about her personal ambitions for the chancellorship cautiously and spoke of “future music”. “I see things more realistically. I’m taking it one step at a time. Now the party is proclaiming a candidate for chancellor for the first time. That’s who I’m supposed to be now. And I’m dealing with that quite humbly and trying to make the best of the election campaign.”

Campaign slogan: “Time for Germany”

Weidel and Chrupalla also presented the AfD’s election campaign slogan at the press conference: “Time for Germany”, which can be seen on election posters in a modified form, for example as “Time for secure borders”, “Time for affordable energy” or “Time for peace”. becomes. There will also be many posters with her picture, said Weidel when asked.

She repeated her party’s core demands for fewer taxes, a reintroduction of nuclear power, against legislation to promote green electricity (EEG law) and a significantly stricter migration policy. “We are canceling all social benefits for foreign citizens who have come to us and who have never paid into our social system.”

AfD avoids mentioning specific election goals

When asked, the AfD leaders did not name a specific election goal. “As much as possible,” Weidel simply said. In the federal election in autumn 2021, the AfD won 10.4 percent.

The AfD event at its federal headquarters in the north of Berlin did not go completely undisturbed. According to the police, around 200 people with posters and flags gathered directly in front of the building, which was secured with fences and privacy screens, and protested against the AfD and Weidel’s nomination. They called for a “Ban on the AfD now” and chanted “All together against fascism.” According to the police, there were no major incidents.