In her speech at CPAC Hungary, Alice Weidel, co-chair of the German Alternative for Germany (AfD), sharply criticised the current German government and the country’s political elite, while highlighting the prevailing discontent in German society.
“The AfD, which has now become Germany’s second strongest party and may soon become a governing force in eastern Germany, embodies the wind of change in a country where more and more people feel that the political leadership has betrayed them,” she stated.
According to Weidel, Germans’ dissatisfaction stems from the fact that citizens have grown increasingly tired of constant misinformation and the decline in their standard of living.
- Mass migration,
- inflation,
- the rise in crime and
- other social problems all contribute to the population’s frustration.
The current government, however, offers no real solutions. Although the chancellor campaigned with promises similar to the AfD programme, after taking power he backtracked and, by supporting left-wing policies, maintained the status quo – said the AfD co-chair.
Attacks on democracy
Weidel sharply criticised the methods of the German government, which she says are aimed at undermining democratic processes. The cabinet manipulates the electoral system, bypasses laws and restricts the rights of the opposition in order to prevent the democratic transfer of power. “The AfD is labelled right-wing extremist in order to silence dissenting opinions, while the Office for the Protection of the Constitution – whose task should be to defend the country, for example against Islamist threats – is working with all its might against the AfD,” she said. According to Weidel, this is nothing other than a desperate attempt by those in power to retain their positions.
The campaign against the AfD
Influential German politicians are determined to break the AfD, which is already stronger than the chancellor’s own party and could gain a significant governing role in eastern Germany.
According to Weidel, “the firewall that the establishment has built against the AfD is in reality a panic room,” adding that the political elite is terrified of change.
The AfD’s popularity is no accident: every fourth German citizen voted for them, which means the support of more than 10 million people. Their exclusion from political processes amounts to the dismantling of the foundations of democracy.
The wind of change
Weidel spoke about how the wind of change is blowing ever stronger, not only in Germany but across Europe and the world.
She emphasised that the current establishment’s machinations are aimed solely at retaining power, but they cannot stop the political turnaround arising from social discontent.
She presented the AfD as a legitimate party representing the will of the people, which seeks solutions to Germans’ real problems. At the same time, our country serves as an inspiration.
Weidel specifically highlighted Hungary, describing it as the “true source of freedom”.
Weidel has on numerous previous occasions spoken about how, for the AfD, the Hungarian government’s policy – which handles migration strictly and resists EU influence – is exemplary in the defence of national sovereignty and conservative values.
