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Alice Weidel Advocates for Remigration at AfD Conference in Riesa

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Alice Weidel’s rise as the AfD’s chancellor candidate is marked by a vibrant election campaign event in Riesa, where she received unanimous support from delegates despite challenges, including protests by left-wing activists. While her candidacy bolsters the party’s ambitions, she faces scrutiny for controversial remarks and the AfD’s ongoing distance from mainstream parties like the CDU. Weidel’s firm rhetoric includes promises of immigration repatriation and criticism of the CDU, signaling a commitment to the party’s radical elements.

Election Campaign Trailer and Alice Weidel’s Rise

The atmosphere is electric as German flags flutter and the iconic Brandenburg Gate lights up the backdrop. In a vibrant garden setting, a joyful family comprising a father, mother, and child smiles for the camera. Meanwhile, the packed hall in Riesa is captivated by a dynamic election campaign trailer reminiscent of American political ads, with pulsating music resonating from the speakers. As the music fades, Alice Weidel strides confidently onto the stage. Dressed in her signature suit with a pocket square, she surveys the enthusiastic audience with a determined smile.

However, during her speech, that smile will fade as she steps into a crucial role. Recently elected as the leader of her party and the faction, Weidel is now positioned as the chancellor candidate. The approximately 600 delegates expressed their unanimous support, raising their hands in approval, with no opposing candidates in sight, rendering the vote a mere formality.

A Symbol of Power Amidst Challenges

For Weidel, a member of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) since 2013, this moment marks a significant peak in her political journey. Although her chances of becoming chancellor appear slim, her candidacy underscores the AfD’s ambitions and influence. She enjoys consistent polling numbers, yet the party still trails the CDU/CSU by eight percentage points. The presence of American tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who is streaming the party conference live on his X account, seems to energize some party members.

One delegate optimistically predicts that Musk’s backing could translate into “two to three percentage points” in the upcoming election. However, Weidel’s controversial remark during a conversation with Musk, where she mistakenly labeled Hitler as a communist, raises eyebrows even within her party, leading to mixed reactions from attendees over the weekend.

Getting to Riesa proved to be a daunting task for AfD officials and delegates, as approximately 10,000 left-wing activists obstructed access roads to the venue. Weidel herself faced delays due to an Antifa sit-in, where protesters chanted, “We are peaceful, what are you?” Despite this claim, some demonstrators attacked her vehicle, necessitating police and bodyguard intervention for her safe passage. Consequently, the party conference began two hours later than scheduled.

During their addresses, both party leaders, Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel, took a firm stance against the demonstrators. Weidel branded them as a “left mob,” while Chrupalla labeled them “terrorists” and “anti-democrats.” In her speech, Weidel portrayed herself as a resolute candidate, while Chrupalla opted for a more moderate tone, promising unity and professionalism within the party.

Weidel’s rhetoric was sharp as she addressed recent violence, stating that an “immigrant man” had “brought terror to our country and killed people.” She concluded with a promise of “mass repatriations,” emphasizing that if it is termed remigration, then it is indeed remigration, catering to the sentiments of the party’s base.

In a noteworthy moment, Weidel acknowledged Thuringian state leader Björn Höcke as “the real election winner” during her speech. She echoed Höcke’s call to dismantle wind turbines, declaring, “When we are in charge, we will tear down all windmills,” showcasing her alignment with the party’s more radical elements.

The CDU emerges as the primary adversary, with Weidel and Chrupalla directing their criticisms toward them. They accuse Friedrich Merz and Markus Söder of misleading voters while merely imitating the AfD’s policies. Weidel labeled the CDU a “party of deceivers,” intensifying her rhetoric against the mainstream political opposition.

Even in discussions about education in Germany, Weidel remained firm, declaring, “We will close all gender studies – and throw all those professors out,” igniting enthusiasm among her supporters.

The remainder of the evening unfolded with a succession of speeches, with nearly a hundred motions for the election program awaiting a vote. As midnight approached, the decision on restructuring the Young Alternative (JA) was postponed. The federal board seeks to ensure that JA members are also party members, a move likely aimed at countering scrutiny from the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.

While this might suggest a move toward normalization for the party, the evening’s events indicate that the AfD remains distant from forming alliances with the CDU, CSU, or even the SPD and FDP. When asked about the possibility of returning as chancellor this summer, Weidel remained cautious, stating, “One step at a time… This year will not be it.”

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