In an increasingly turbulent German political landscape, Alice Weidel has emerged as a key figure in Alternative for Germany (AfD). The AfD has transitioned from marginality to one of the country’s leading political forces. Her pragmatic leadership has managed to transform an initially Eurosceptic formation into a political machine with a firm stance against immigration and globalization, understood as a force that erodes national identities. If the polls are correct, AfD could become the second-largest political force in Germany, a country that has become the new frontline in the populist revolt against the legacy parties of the Left and Right.
In its early days, AfD was predominantly liberal in economic matters and Eurosceptic in its stance, but over time, Weidel, an economist by profession with a doctorate in international development, oversaw its evolution toward a more identitarian and nationalist stance. Aware that public discontent with political elites was growing, she reinforced the party’s discourse against uncontrolled immigration and European bureaucracy. In her rhetoric, she stresses that Germany needs to regain its sovereignty and strengthen its borders, a position that resonates with broad swathes of the electorate.
Despite her party’s advocacy of traditional values, Weidel has defied labels by being openly lesbian and living with Sri Lankan film producer Sarah Bossard, raising two sons together. This apparent contradiction has served as an argument for her critics but also proves that AfD is more heterogeneous than its detractors would admit. As her parliamentary deputy, Beatrix von Storch has pointed out, Weidel’s case demonstrates that the party is “tolerant” within its fundamental principles.
Since assuming leadership in 2017, Weidel has played a crucial role in consolidating AfD. Unlike other party leaders, she has opted for a normalization strategy without abandoning the toughness of her message. While in the beginning she attempted to distance herself from more radical figures like Björn Höcke (head of AfD’s Der Flüget faction, which the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution declared a suspected right-wing extremist organization), over time, she has embraced unity within the party as key to electoral success.
In her speeches, Weidel emphasizes the need for remigration, that is the return of illegal immigrants to their countries of origin, a proposal enthusiastically received by a voter base tired of the lack of security and what they perceive as a crisis of uncontrolled mass migration.
Weidel has also found a powerful ally in the person of X owner, billionaire U.S. entrepreneur Elon Musk. Surprisingly for many, Musk has been a vocal supporter of AfD for quite some time now, openly expressing his conviction that “only the AfD can save Germany.” In January, Musk had a much publicized, and much criticized, conversation with Weidel, broadcast live on X, which has amassed over 16 million views since.
Throughout the campaign, Weidel has been insistent on the need to strengthen border control and implement mass deportations. Reality supports her message. Just yesterday, Friday, February 21, a Spanish tourist was seriously wounded in a stabbing attack at the Holocaust memorial in Berlin, located not far from the Brandenburg Gate. The suspect has been revealed to be a 19-year-old asylum seeker from Syria.
According to the latest surveys, support for the party now surpasses 20%, positioning it as a real alternative to traditional parties. However, the cordon sanitaire imposed on the AfD by the establishment parties makes Weidel becoming chancellor of Germany anytime soon unlikely. Nevertheless, her impact on German politics is undeniable. With a discourse appealing to the working class, business owners concerned about tax burdens, and citizens across the socio-economic spectrum dissatisfied with the country’s general direction, she has transformed AfD from a marginal actor into a pillar of the new Germany.
Alice Weidel has proven to be a shrewd politician, capable of navigating the complexities of her party and the German political scene. Her leadership has not only strengthened AfD but has also forced other parties to rethink their strategies. Her unquestionable influence is proof of how German politics is changing, willing to discuss and confront issues, such as the negative impact of mass immigration, that earlier were classified as taboo.