The far-right, anti-migrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) re-elected Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla as co-leaders on Saturday, with the party using its national conference to underline its ambitions ahead of crucial regional elections this year.

Delegates at the convention in Erfurt confirmed Weidel and Chrupalla as party leaders for another two years, maintaining the AfD's dual leadership structure after overwhelmingly rejecting the option of a single chair. Weidel secured 81.3% of the vote, a slight increase on her result at the party's 2024 congress, while Chrupalla received 70%, down from nearly 83% two years earlier. Neither faced a challenger.

Their re-election reflected a display of unity at a time when the AfD, which is increasingly seeking to present itself as a mainstream governing force, is topping opinion polls and hoping to come to power after state elections in eastern Germany. The party's leadership emphasized its commitment to governing at both the state and federal levels, with Chrupalla declaring, "We want to govern. We have grown into a people's party. We have proven that we can do opposition work. And we will govern, first in one state, then at the federal level."

Chrupalla directly addressed lead candidates for elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the city-state of Berlin, calling them "our hope this year" and confidently predicting victory. He dismissed reports of rivalries at the populist party's helm, particularly between himself and Weidel, stating, "Our party is more united than ever before."

Weidel described 2026 as a "super election year" for the AfD and sharply criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The loudest applause in the hall came when Weidel declared, "We will deport people rigorously." She also challenged the party's political opponents and counter-demonstrators outside the conference, shouting, "You won't bring us down! Quite the opposite - we're getting stronger and bigger all the time!"

Weidel noted that the AfD now has 75,000 members, up sharply from around 50,000 in 2024, underscoring the party's growing grassroots support.

Protests and police operation

Chrupalla mocked anti-AfD demonstrators who attempted to block access to the convention hall, saying delegates had arrived before dawn to avoid disruption. "The early bird catches the worm. The Antifa rioters overslept their own disruption tactics," he said. By Saturday afternoon, police estimated around 31,000 people had turned out to protest in Erfurt. Several thousand officers from across Germany were deployed for the operation. Hundreds of AfD delegates were escorted to the conference centre by police in the early hours of the morning, allowing proceedings to begin on time despite road blockades and demonstrations. A ban on protests on several access roads remained in force after the city successfully appealed a court ruling that had struck it down.

Shunned by rivals

The AfD became Germany's largest opposition party after achieving the strongest result for a far-right party since World War II in last year's federal election. The party has since capitalized on low approval ratings for Merz's coalition government, which critics say has struggled to project unity and tackle Germany's economic problems swiftly. While many of its opponents continue to call for the AfD to be banned, the party is hoping to win an absolute majority in September's regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, a result that could allow it to govern a state for the first time.

The AfD's rise has been fueled by widespread public discontent over migration policy, economic stagnation, and a perceived disconnect between mainstream parties and ordinary citizens. The party has aggressively campaigned on a platform of stricter immigration controls, national sovereignty, and opposition to European Union centralization. Its anti-Islam rhetoric and historical revisionism have drawn sharp criticism, yet its support continues to grow in eastern Germany, where unemployment and demographic challenges are more acute.

The political landscape in Germany remains fragmented, with the mainstream parties maintaining a so-called political "firewall" against cooperation with the AfD, ruling out coalition agreements over what they describe as its anti-democratic and extremist positions. However, the sustained high polling numbers for the AfD have led to debates within other parties about whether the firewall is sustainable in the long term. Some regional politicians have suggested that excluding a party that represents a substantial portion of the electorate undermines democratic principles.

The afd's convention also highlighted internal tensions between moderate and radical wings within the party. While Weidel and Chrupalla represent a more established leadership, the rise of figures like Björn Höcke, who leads the extremist "Wing" faction, continues to shape the party's direction. The convention passed resolutions calling for stricter immigration laws and a unilateral withdrawal from the European Union's asylum system, policies that have alarmed mainstream parties.

The growing polarization in German politics is also reflected in the size and intensity of the protests. The demonstrations in Erfurt drew activists from across the political spectrum, including left-wing groups, environmentalists, and civil society organizations. Many protesters carried banners condemning racism and fascism, while others called for a ban on the AfD. The heavy police presence underscored the high security risk associated with the convention.

State elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are expected to be closely contested. In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD is currently leading in polls, with support exceeding 30%. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the party is also polling strongly, while in Berlin, the AfD is expected to perform well in the eastern districts. A victory in any of these states would be historic for the AfD and would likely intensify the debate about the future of the firewall.

The afd's leadership duo of Weidel and Chrupalla brings a combination of media-savvy presentation and grassroots organizing. Weidel, an economist and openly lesbian politician, has often been the public face of the party in televised debates, while Chrupalla, a former craftsman, connects with working-class voters. Their re-election signals continuity and an attempt to project stability as the party prepares for the upcoming electoral battles.

The economic context also favors the AfD. Germany's industrial sector has been hit hard by rising energy costs, supply chain disruptions, and competition from China. The government's response has been criticized as slow and inadequate, fueling public frustration. The AfD has exploited these grievances by promising to protect German industry and workers, often blaming the EU and migration for the country's problems.

The international implications of a strong AfD performance are significant. A far-right party in government at the state level in Germany would likely strain relations with European partners and could embolden similar movements across the continent. The AfD's stance on Russia and sanctions has also been controversial, with the party calling for an end to sanctions and closer ties with Moscow.

As the convention concluded, both Weidel and Chrupalla expressed confidence that the party's message resonates with voters. "We are the future of Germany," Weidel said. "The old parties have failed. We will bring real change." The coming months will test whether the AfD can translate its growing membership and poll numbers into actual electoral power, or whether the firewall and voter turnout will prevent it from breaking through.

Source: Yahoo News News