Portrait of Alice Weidel
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Alice Weidel on European Union

Advocates EU reform or Dexit (strong)

TL;DR

Alice Weidel advocates reforming the European Union from within or holding a referendum for a German exit, known as Dexit.

Key Points

  • She views the UK's departure from the EU as a model for Germany to make a sovereign decision, suggesting a 'Dexit' referendum if reforms fail.

  • In February 2025, she stated the AfD aims to reform the EU by reducing its competences and dismantling its bureaucratic superstructure from within.

  • Weidel argued that Ukraine should not join the European Union because it does not meet accession requirements, citing issues like corruption and economic indicators.

Summary

Alice Weidel, co-chair of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), clearly advocates for a significant re-evaluation of Germany's role within the European Union. Her core position is that the EU suffers from a "democratic deficit" that must be addressed through substantial reform, specifically by reducing the powers of the European Commission, which she views as an unelected executive. If efforts to reform the bloc prove unsuccessful, she has stated the AfD would campaign for a national referendum on leaving the EU, citing the United Kingdom's departure as a model for reclaiming sovereignty.

This stance is part of a broader strategy to prioritize German national interests, which she frames as an "interest-driven foreign policy." Weidel has also aligned her party with figures like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose government shares a similar opposition to current EU policies, particularly regarding immigration. Furthermore, she has expressed strong opposition to Ukraine joining the EU, arguing that the country does not meet the necessary preconditions for membership.

Key Quotes

“It's a model for Germany, that one can make a sovereign decision like that,”

“We should work together to reform the European Union at all costs. And that can only be done from within. We can achieve this by reducing the competences of the European Union, by dismantling the entire bureaucratic, expensive — and, in my view, corrupt — superstructure.”

“They want Orbán gone, and they are willing to use any means to achieve it,”

Frequently Asked Questions

Alice Weidel's stated goal is to reform the European Union to enhance member state sovereignty and reduce the power of Brussels institutions. If this reform effort fails, her party, the AfD, will advocate for a national referendum on Germany's withdrawal from the EU, a 'Dexit.'

While the AfD initially formed in opposition to the Euro, Weidel's current position is more conditional. She supports working to reform the EU from within first. However, she explicitly stated in January 2024 that a 'Dexit' vote would be the next step if reforming the bloc proves impossible.

She is firmly against Ukraine becoming a member of the European Union. Weidel has stated that Ukraine currently fails to meet essential preconditions, such as criteria related to corruption and economic stability, making it unsuitable for the bloc.

Sources8

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.