Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, a right-wing populist movement, has made headlines for its hardline stance on migration and increasingly radical rhetoric. Recent developments reveal how the AfD’s platform, including its focus on mass deportations, ties into its broader ideological agenda—and why it has caught the attention of global figures such as Elon Musk.
The Current Leader: Alice Weidel
Alice Weidel is the co-leader of the AfD and has become one of its most prominent and controversial figures. Born in 1979 in Gütersloh, North Rhine-Westphalia, Weidel pursued a career in economics, earning her degree in economics and business administration from the University of Bayreuth, followed by a doctorate.
AfD national chairwoman Alice Weidel speaks at her party’s national convention in Riesa, Germany, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (Sebastian Kahnert/dpa via AP)
Before entering politics, she worked in finance, including a stint at Goldman Sachs and later as an independent business consultant.
Weidel represents the modernised, polished face of the AfD, seeking to broaden its appeal beyond its far-right base. Openly lesbian and in a same-sex partnership with a Swiss woman of Sri Lankan descent, Weidel’s personal life might seem at odds with the AfD’s nationalist and socially conservative rhetoric. However, she has skilfully used her background to deflect criticism, presenting herself as a pragmatic leader who can unite diverse interests within the party.
Her leadership has not been without controversy. Weidel has been criticised for inflammatory statements, including remarks about asylum seekers and her willingness to embrace the term “remigration.” Despite these controversies—or perhaps because of them—Weidel has solidified her position as a key figure in the party’s meteoric rise.
AfD’s Migration Policy: “Remigration” and Its Ramifications
At a recent party conference in Riesa, Saxony, Alice Weidel fully embraced the term “remigration,” describing it as “large-scale repatriations.” This term, common among Europe’s far-right, signifies the deportation of individuals with migrant backgrounds, regardless of their legal status or integration into society.
Weidel’s remarks come just weeks before Germany’s February elections, signalling a deliberate strategy to energise the party’s base with provocative messaging. She also proposed tearing down wind farms—described as “windmills of shame”—and rolling back Germany’s climate commitments, further emphasising the party’s nationalist and anti-globalist stance.
The AfD’s Broader Agenda
The AfD’s policy manifesto extends beyond migration, including:
- Exiting the
European Union : The party advocates dismantling the EU in favour of a loose confederation of states, aiming to restore German sovereignty. - Abandoning Climate Commitments: AfD leaders propose withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement and reversing renewable energy initiatives, citing economic concerns.
- Cultural Rollbacks: The party targets progressive academic disciplines, such as gender studies, which it claims undermine traditional German values.
Are they neo-Nazis?
While the AfD officially denies being a neo-Nazi party, several factors have led to these accusations:
Extremist Factions: Sections of the party, particularly in eastern Germany, have been linked to far-right extremist ideologies. The “Flügel” faction, led by Björn Höcke, has been classified as “right-wing extremist” by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the Verfassungsschutz. Although officially disbanded in 2020, its influence remains significant within the party.
Rhetoric and Revisionism: Prominent AfD members have made controversial statements about Germany’s Nazi past:
Björn Höcke referred to Berlin’s Holocaust memorial as a “monument of shame.” Former co-leader Alexander Gauland described the Nazi era as a mere “speck of bird’s muck” in over a thousand years of German history. Such comments have been widely condemned as revisionist and indicative of a willingness to downplay Nazi atrocities.
Associations with Far-Right Figures:
Reports of AfD members meeting with known far-right activists, such as Martin Sellner of the Identitarian Movement, have fueled concerns about neo-Nazi ties. Sellner, who has a neo-Nazi past, advocates for “remigration” policies similar to those promoted by the AfD.
Surveillance by Intelligence Agencies
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency has placed sections of the AfD under surveillance, citing concerns about their potential to undermine the democratic order. Some regional branches are classified as suspected extremist organisations, further blurring the line between the party’s nationalist rhetoric and outright extremism.
AfD’s Official Stance
The AfD officially rejects allegations of neo-Nazism and positions itself as a populist, nationalist party that defends German sovereignty, opposes mass immigration, and critiques what it calls “political correctness.” Under leaders like Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, the party has attempted to present a more mainstream image, though the extremism of certain factions undermines these efforts.
The AfD as an organisation does not explicitly align itself with neo-Nazi ideology, nor does it adopt the symbology or rhetoric of historical Nazism.
Germany’s Migration Challenge
Germany has long grappled with the challenges of migration and integration. Post-World War II, guest workers from countries like Turkey helped rebuild the nation, but integration policies often lagged behind. The 2015 migrant crisis, during which Germany welcomed over one million asylum seekers, exacerbated these tensions.
The influx strained public services, housing, and education systems, and sparked debates over cultural assimilation and economic competition. While many migrants have since contributed to Germany’s economy, their arrival also fuelled concerns about national identity and security.
The AfD has capitalised on these anxieties, framing migration as a crisis that threatens Germany’s cultural fabric and economic stability. By emphasising slogans like “remigration,” the party appeals to voters who feel alienated by mainstream politics.
Global Attention: Elon Musk’s Endorsement
Tech billionaire Elon Musk recently invited Alice Weidel to speak on X (formerly Twitter), where he endorsed the AfD. Musk praised the party’s anti-establishment stance and criticised what he described as Germany’s “self-destructive migration policies.”
The endorsement has brought the AfD international attention and credibility among Musk’s followers. However, it has also attracted criticism. Weidel’s claim during the discussion that Adolf Hitler was a “communist” sparked outrage, with many accusing her of Nazi revisionism.
A Polarised Germany
The AfD’s rise has deepened divisions in German society. While its anti-immigration and anti-“woke” policies resonate with certain voters—particularly in economically struggling eastern states—the party faces fierce opposition from mainstream political factions and civil society.
Mass protests erupted in Riesa during the party’s conference, with thousands opposing the AfD’s platform. Critics accuse the party of exploiting economic and social anxieties to push a divisive and extremist agenda.
Despite its growing support—polling consistently places the AfD in second position nationally—the party remains politically isolated. No other major party will work with it, and sections of the AfD are under surveillance by German intelligence due to suspected extremist activities.
The Path Ahead
Alice Weidel’s leadership has propelled the AfD into the spotlight, making it a force to be reckoned with in German politics. As elections approach, the party’s provocative rhetoric and controversial policies will remain at the forefront of public debate.
With endorsements from figures like Elon Musk and a growing share of the vote, the AfD’s vision for Germany is gaining traction. However, whether this vision aligns with the broader electorate’s priorities—or proves too polarising—will determine its long-term impact on Germany’s political landscape.