According to public broadcaster ZDF, Alternative for Germany (AfD) co-leader Alice Weidel confirmed during a summer interview that her party intends to push for Germany’s departure from both the eurozone and the Schengen Area should it enter a federal government coalition. The party also pledged a significantly stricter migration policy and the repeal of the internal combustion engine ban ahead of upcoming regional elections.
AfD Targets Eurozone Exit and Open Borders
Speaking to ZDF, Weidel stated that the AfD demands Germany leave the eurozone, characterizing the single currency as an “unstable currency” and a “soft currency.” According to Weidel, Germany performed markedly better before the implementation of the shared currency, and the party has observed “widespread impoverishment of the working strata of the population.”
The interview further confirmed the party’s objective to withdraw from the Schengen Agreement. Weidel argued that open borders directly threaten the internal security of the country. As defined by the Schengen Area, the territory comprises 29 European states where individuals and goods cross boundaries without standard border checks.
Did you know? The Schengen Area encompasses 29 European countries that allow passport-free travel across their mutual borders.
Stricter Migration Policies and Deportation Plans
Weidel outlined aggressive shifts in immigration enforcement during the broadcast. “All Syrians will be returned to their homeland,” she stated, adding that “Afghans will also no longer be brought in.” The interview included criticism regarding the granting of German citizenship to certain foreign nationals alongside an explicit demand for an increased volume of deportations.
These immigration platforms arrive as federal data highlights ongoing operational hurdles. According to reporting from ada on August 18, 2026, German deportation efforts have faced severe implementation setbacks this year despite existing financial allocations.
Automotive Regulation and Rejection of Combustion Bans
Weidel reiterated the party’s platform to overturn the European Union’s ban on combustion engines. Addressing the viability of German automakers within the Chinese market, she rejected government mandates on vehicle selection. “I do not want to prescribe to anyone what kind of car they should drive,” she told ZDF.
Instead, the AfD promotes market openness and technological neutrality, criticizing Brussels regulations and state subsidies for electric vehicles that she claims ultimately benefit Chinese competitors. Weidel also dismissed portions of the prevailing climate agenda, stating that climate change has always existed and that climate mitigation measures are unnecessary. She encapsulated her economic policy approach with the maxim: “No market interventions and no ban policy.”
Polling Dominance Ahead of State Elections
Demonstrating high political confidence ahead of the September 6 vote in Saxony-Anhalt, Weidel declared, “We will govern in the first federal states” and “We will also govern at the federal level.”
Citing data from Die Zeit, the AfD holds over 40 percent support in Saxony-Anhalt, securing a commanding lead ahead of the upcoming ballot. Nationally, a recent survey by the institute Forschungsgruppe Wahlen places the AfD at 27 percent, positioning them ahead of the second-place governing Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at 22 percent, according to Die Zeit.
Weidel directed pointed criticism toward federal leadership during the interview. “We are governed by the incompetent,” she asserted, specifically naming pan Merz and pan Klingbeil, stating they lack the capability to govern effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary policy demands of the AfD regarding the European Union?
According to ZDF interviews with co-leader Alice Weidel, the AfD aims to push for Germany to leave both the eurozone and the Schengen Area.
What does the AfD propose for migration policy?
The party advocates for the return of all Syrian nationals to their homeland, halting the intake of Afghan nationals, and increasing the total number of deportations.
What is the current electoral standing of the AfD?
Polling data cited by Die Zeit shows the AfD leading in Saxony-Anhalt with over 40 percent support ahead of the September 6 elections, and polling at 27 percent nationally.
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