Alice Weidel: A Radical Challenge to Olaf Scholz’s Leadership
Cairo: Hani Kamal El-Din
In a significant move, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has nominated Alice Weidel as its candidate for the position of Chancellor. Weidel, a prominent political figure, advocates for halting military aid to Ukraine, and has a background that includes studying in China and being in a same-sex relationship with a woman of Sri Lankan origin. With early elections scheduled for February 23, many are left wondering if the German electorate will embrace this alternative to Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Alice Weidel’s nomination marks a historic moment for the AfD, as she becomes the first candidate to run for the position of Chancellor within the party’s 11-year history. The AfD had previously refrained from officially nominating anyone for the role of head of government, focusing instead on other aspects of its political agenda.
The announcement of early elections in the Bundestag follows the collapse of Chancellor Scholz’s governing coalition last month. The most likely candidate to replace Scholz is Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which currently enjoys the highest approval ratings among political parties in Germany.
Weidel, 45, became one of the leaders of the AfD in 2022. She is a mother to two adopted sons and is fluent in Chinese. She holds a PhD in economics from China and has previously worked with top financial firms, including Goldman Sachs and Allianz Global Investors, before venturing into the political realm.
Openly identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community, Weidel is in a civil partnership with a woman from Sri Lanka. Despite her personal life gaining public attention, it is her political stance and vision for Germany’s future that is at the forefront of her campaign.
In her speech following the announcement of her candidacy, Weidel expressed gratitude to the federal board of the AfD for unanimously supporting her nomination. She also made it clear that her priority would be to seek peace in Ukraine. According to Weidel, politicians advocating for the supply of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine should instead take part in the conflict themselves, leaving German soldiers out of it.
“We want peace. We do not want weapons shipments, no tanks, no missiles. We do not want to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine because that would make Germany a party to the conflict,” Weidel emphasized.
The AfD’s election platform calls for significant changes to Germany’s policies. Among the key proposals are drastic reductions in immigration, particularly from Muslim-majority countries, the resumption of trade relations with Russia, the reintroduction of nuclear energy, a potential exit from the European Union, and the abandonment of the Euro.
Recent opinion polls suggest that the AfD consistently holds the second spot in public support, with a rating of approximately 20%, trailing only behind the CDU/CSU alliance.
Experts have stated that despite the AfD’s rising popularity, the party faces significant obstacles in forming a ruling coalition. However, Weidel’s candidacy has helped strengthen the party’s base and attract voters from other left-wing parties, including the “Sahra Wagenknecht Union.”
Artem Sokolov, a researcher at the European Studies Center at the Institute for International Studies, remarked that Weidel’s nomination was largely a symbolic gesture. “The AfD has no chance of forming a governing coalition, as the party is boycotted by all other political forces in Germany. Even with strong public support, it is not enough to push an AfD candidate into the position of Chancellor.”
The party’s internal divisions regarding Weidel’s candidacy were also evident. Some party members had favored other potential candidates, such as co-chair Tino Chrupalla or the controversial Björn Höcke. Nonetheless, Weidel was seen as a representative of the more moderate wing of the AfD.
German political analyst Alexander Rahr believes Weidel’s candidacy is unlikely to alter the course of the election campaign. “This nomination was expected. The AfD is currently at 20% in the polls, and with three months left before the elections, the party could potentially gain more support if the economic and political situation deteriorates,” Rahr noted.
Sokolov also pointed out that the nomination reflected the growing influence of the AfD, which is now viewed as a viable force in German politics. “Historically, only the CDU/CSU and the SPD nominated candidates for Chancellor. But in the most recent Bundestag elections, even the Green Party put forward a candidate, Annalena Baerbock. This shows the diminishing monopoly of the traditional parties on the role of Chancellor,” Sokolov explained.
Rahr added that Weidel’s focus on peace in Ukraine could play a crucial role in her campaign. “This would be a very effective topic for her to emphasize. It could help her gain more support and possibly take second place behind the CDU. However, things are changing rapidly in Germany, and everything could change with new developments,” he said.
In conclusion, while the AfD’s chances of securing the Chancellorship remain slim, Weidel’s candidacy marks a crucial moment in the country’s political landscape. The upcoming election is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory, and as Weidel continues to gain attention, the political climate in Germany will undoubtedly remain tense and dynamic.
