Germany's Far-Right AfD Nominates Alice Weidel for Chancellor in February 23 Election

Dec 7, 2024, 11:53 AM

The Alternative for Germany (AfD), a far-right political party, has officially nominated Alice Weidel as its first-ever candidate for the position of German Chancellor in the upcoming snap election scheduled for February 23, 2024. Weidel, who has been co-chair of the AfD since 2017, is known for her Euroskeptic views and her background as a business analyst. Her nomination marks a significant step for the party, which currently polls second behind the CDU/CSU coalition with 17% support. Despite her nomination, analysts suggest that the AfD has little chance of participating in the next government. Weidel, a 45-year-old from western Germany, speaks Chinese and is openly gay, making her a unique figure in German politics. Her candidacy comes at a time when the AfD aims to project a more professional and moderate image, although the party's radical elements continue to dominate behind the scenes.