Essen, Germany – Members of the far-right German political party Alternative for Germany (AfD) have reelected Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel as joint party leaders for another two-year term. The decision was made at a party conference in Essen, where Chrupalla received 82.72% support and Weidel received 79.77% from the party members.
Both leaders experienced an increase in support compared to the previous congress two years ago. The vote, which took place in front of around 600 delegates, saw the pair running unopposed for their positions. During her opening speech at the conference, Weidel criticized Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s governing coalition, calling for new elections and dismissing the need for firewalls against the AfD.
Chrupalla, on the other hand, expressed that the AfD is now “stronger than ever” under their leadership, highlighting the growth in party membership. He stated that the AfD currently has 46,881 members, with a significant increase expected by the fall.
Outside the conference venue, clashes between protesters and police occurred, leading to arrests and disruptions in the area. Despite attempts by authorities to prevent the conference from taking place in Essen, the AfD proceeded with its plans.
The AfD has been under scrutiny by the German domestic intelligence agency due to concerns of right-wing extremism within the party. Despite setbacks and scandals, the AfD has managed to gain support in various elections, posing a challenge to mainstream political parties in Germany.
As Germany prepares for federal elections in the fall, the AfD’s rising popularity and anti-immigration stance continue to shape political discourse in the country. The party’s leaders look ahead to the upcoming elections with confidence, aiming to capitalize on their recent successes.