German Media: Weidel Successfully Re-elected, Says AfD Aims to Lead Germany as a "New People's Party"

The leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), currently leading in opinion polls, Weidel successfully secured re-election at the party conference held in Erfurt on Saturday, advancing her party’s vision to lead Germany: "We are the new people's party." According to reports, AfD intends to revise its "incompatibility list" rules to ease membership restrictions.

Weidel stated on July 4 at the AfD federal party convention in Erfurt: "The Alternative for Germany is ready to take responsibility—because we, the German people, and Germany deserve good governance." She described her party as now being "a political barometer at the federal level," noting that in many federal states, AfD has become either the largest or second-largest party.

She emphasized that AfD would not be deterred by rejection from other parties. "We will follow our own path," she said. "Let them do as they please—we’ll surprise them." The party chair highlighted that AfD membership has grown from 30,000 to 75,000 over three years. "I believe we will soon surpass 100,000," she said. "That’s our goal—to become large and powerful."

"You cannot defeat us!"

Weidel accused other parties of treating AfD with "hatred and incitement": "You won’t defeat us—on the contrary, we will grow stronger." She sharply criticized the ruling parties: "The CDU is pursuing anti-German, anti-people, and anti-national interest policies." She referred to the SPD as once being a "prideful workers’ party" that is now "silently disappearing from Germany’s political history," calling it a "party that betrays workers and laborers."

AfD Aims to Revise "Incompatibility List" Rules to Loosen Membership Restrictions

According to dpa news agency, AfD plans to adjust its member admission rules. Some influential party officials advocate allowing anyone except those who have pursued extremist goals through violence to join the party.

At the Erfurt federal party convention, Weidel proposed that the incoming leadership should review the so-called "incompatibility list" (Unvereinbarkeitsliste).

A draft motion withdrawn by some party representatives suggested significantly relaxing membership criteria. The proposal, backed by several prominent party figures, stipulates that only groups whose organizational platforms explicitly aim to abolish parliamentary democracy and establish a dictatorship—and which pursue these goals through systematic, active struggle, especially violence—should be classified as extremist organizations. It also proposes a "ten-year retroactive clause": individuals who joined an organization designated as extremist by AfD more than ten years ago would still be eligible for AfD membership.

"Unity of Purpose": Co-Chair Emphasizes Party Leadership Solidarity

At the party convention, co-chair Krupa emphasized internal unity. He described his dual leadership with Weidel as a "rarely seen successful combination in German politics."

"We have been, are, and will remain united in purpose," he declared. "One heart beating for Germany, one soul living for Germany." He added that this unity should extend to the entire nation: "First the country, then the party, and finally the individual."

Krupa dismissed reports of internal power struggles: "Some fantasize about alleged power struggles and showdowns, but the truth is: our party is more united than ever before." He called the outgoing leadership team "the most successful in the party’s history."

Professor Benjamin Höhne from Chemnitz noted: "Weidel is the strategic core, presenting herself as the 'Iron Lady' of AfD, deliberately distinguishing herself from co-leader Krupa—Krupa speaks in working-class language, making him more accessible to those without university education."

The Paradoxical Political Figure Weidel

Weidel was re-elected as party chair alongside Krupa at the party convention. AFP commented that Weidel’s firm position within the male-dominated AfD is rare in the party’s history. In AfD’s Bundestag faction, women make up only 13%; among the 15-member federal executive committee, she is the sole woman and also identifies as LGBTQ+.

Höhne pointed out that under Weidel’s leadership, AfD has undergone a recent "process of radicalization," increasingly displaying a clear "right-wing extremist worldview."

AfD often uses Weidel as a kind of "image argument" to claim non-discrimination: since the party has a lesbian chairperson and a prime ministerial candidate, it supposedly cannot be discriminatory.

Höhne remains unconvinced: "Even if there have been shifts in gender perspectives among far-right parties, if AfD’s far-right ideology fully dominates, liberal tendencies may wither—accompanied by open hostility toward homosexuality and a return to traditional female roles."

Lesbian Yet Harmful to LGBT Community: "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing"

Regarding Weidel’s sexual orientation, Höhne highlighted AfD’s "double standards": "Equality has never been a concern for AfD; attacks against the LGBT community are common within the party."

Weidel previously stated: "I am not queer—I’m simply with a woman I’ve known for 20 years."

Nick Slawik, Green Party federal MP and spokesperson for LGBTQ+ policy, offered sharper criticism to AFP: "She’s like a wolf in sheep’s clothing." She believes Weidel causes significant harm to queer communities: "AfD actively opposes society’s acceptance of same-sex couples." To many LGBT individuals in Germany, "Weidel doesn’t represent them—they see her as someone who discredits those fighting for marriage equality."

Source: DW

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1869795999648075/

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