Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has outlined a plan to significantly overhaul the European Union, with party leader Alice Weidel advocating for a transformation of the bloc into a loose federation of sovereign states. The proposals, unveiled ahead of a potential political shift that could see Weidel replace Friedrich Merz as chancellor, include drastic reductions in EU institutional powers and threaten the unity of the union.
Weidel made her remarks in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where she argued that national parliaments and governments should reclaim decision-making authority from Brussels. Her vision calls for a reduction in the size and powers of the European Commission, replacing the European Court of Justice with an arbitration tribunal, ending European Parliament elections in favor of appointments by national legislatures, and providing member states with opt-outs and vetoes on EU law. The AfD’s policy paper also proposes cutting Germany’s contributions to the EU budget, abandoning the bloc’s net zero emissions target, and scrapping the 2035 ban on petrol vehicles.
The party maintains support for certain European-level cooperation, such as border security, defense, technology projects, and the single market, but insists on the primacy of national law over EU regulations in nearly all other areas. A central feature in Weidel’s strategy is the threat of a “Dexit” referendum—a German exit from the EU—should these reforms fail to materialize under an AfD government.
However, the proposals have faced immediate rejection from EU officials and mainstream parties. The European Union’s governing structures demand unanimous agreement from all 27 member states to amend treaties, a hurdle experts describe as nearly insurmountable given the radical nature of the AfD’s reforms. One EU official characterized the party’s vision as a maximum demand likely designed to justify a referendum unpopular with the German public, who polls indicate overwhelmingly support EU membership.
The AfD has seen a surge in popularity, securing significant victories in recent state elections and challenging the dominance of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Nevertheless, established parties have so far excluded the AfD from coalition negotiations, citing the party’s perceived sympathetic stance toward Russia and its disruptive agenda.
David McAllister, chairman of the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee and a veteran of Brexit negotiations, warned that the AfD’s hostility toward the EU threatens both Germany’s security and economic prosperity. He emphasized the risks posed by the party’s closeness to Russia, especially amid ongoing conflicts in Europe, and noted that weakening the EU would undermine Germany’s capacity to defend its interests.
Weidel dismissed such concerns, blaming the EU’s current policies for Germany’s high energy costs and criticizing the bloc’s support for Ukraine. She suggested that if the EU cannot adequately secure its external borders, Germany should consider leaving the Schengen Area and ending freedom of movement. She also called for the EU to withdraw from its involvement in Ukraine peace negotiations, arguing that major powers like the United States, Russia, and China should lead those efforts.
The AfD positions itself alongside other European hard-right parties that share a desire to curb EU centralization in favor of national sovereignty. While these parties differ in their stance on Russia, many—including Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen—advocate for a "Europe of homelands" rather than a centralized European superstate. The AfD’s recent policy document provides more detail on its vision, with internal debate over the feasibility and timing of a Dexit referendum.
Gunnar Beck, a former AfD MEP, suggested that Weidel’s proposals might represent a negotiating position intended to satisfy both Eurosceptic members pushing for exit and those favoring reform within the EU framework. He speculated that if Weidel attains power, she might moderate her stance and pursue incremental changes, comparable to Meloni’s pragmatic approach since assuming office.
The AfD’s ascent marks a significant challenge to the EU’s cohesion at a time when it is already grappling with multiple crises. The party’s success in upcoming national and European elections could influence the future shape of the bloc, but substantial reforms of the type proposed by the AfD remain highly contested and face formidable political barriers.