In recent years, far-right political movements have gained traction across Europe.
Parties that once existed on the fringes are now entering mainstream debates and, in some cases, influencing policy.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is one such party. It has seen a rise in support, despite its extreme views and controversial leadership. One of the key figures behind this transformation is Alice Weidel.
Alice Weidel has become the face of the AfD. She presents a polished, cosmopolitan image that contrasts with the party’s nationalist and hardline rhetoric, writes Ziare.
A former investment analyst, she lives in Switzerland with her Sri Lankan-born wife and their two children.
Despite this, she leads a party that opposes immigration and defines family as strictly between a man and a woman.
Weidel’s influence has helped push the AfD into the political mainstream. The party is now polling second, ahead of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats but behind the conservative Christian Democrats.
While most parties refuse to work with the AfD, Weidel has managed to secure a platform in major debates.
Recently, she appeared alongside leading candidates from traditional parties, marking a first for the AfD.
Her polished appearance and professional background may suggest moderation, but her policies remain extreme.
She has promised to dismantle wind turbines, eliminate gender studies from universities, and enforce strict immigration policies.
She has also spoken about “remigration,” a term often associated with forced deportations. At a campaign rally, she declared that Germany’s borders are closed, drawing loud applause from supporters.
Weidel has been careful to avoid distancing herself from the party’s most radical figures. Some of her colleagues have downplayed the Holocaust and expressed admiration for Germany’s past nationalist movements.
She maintains close ties with Björn Höcke, a regional AfD leader convicted of using Nazi-era slogans.
Critics argue that her leadership has only made the party more extreme, not more moderate.
Despite her nationalist stance, Weidel leads an international life. She studied in China, speaks Mandarin, and worked for major financial institutions like Goldman Sachs.
She spends much of her time in Switzerland, rarely staying at her registered German address due to security concerns.
This contradiction—between her global lifestyle and the nationalist ideology she promotes—remains a point of criticism.
As the AfD continues to grow in influence, Weidel remains central to its rise. She has successfully positioned the party as a mainstream force while keeping its far-right ideology intact.
Whether this strategy will lead to greater political power or further controversy remains to be seen.
