AfD Leaders Weidel and Chrupalla Retain Their Positions
Germany's right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD) re-elected its co-chairpersons Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla at a party congress in Erfurt on Saturday, while tens of thousands of protesters demonstrated outside.
Delegates at the Alternative for Germany (AfD) congress in Erfurt on July 4 voted overwhelmingly to keep the current leaders in office for another two years, rejecting a proposal to elect only one chairperson.
Alice Weidel secured 81.3% of the votes, a slight increase from the previous election. Tino Chrupalla, who had received 83% support two years ago, this time obtained 70%.
In his speech, Chrupalla emphasized that the AfD aims to come to power, first in one federal state and then at the federal level. He dismissed rumors of internal divisions between him and Weidel, stating that the party is more united than ever.
Weidel sharply criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz and noted that this is a "super election year." She received ovations when promising that once in power, the AfD would vigorously proceed with deporting illegal immigrants.
Outside the congress venue, mass protests took place. According to police, the number of demonstrators reached 31,000 by Saturday afternoon. Thousands of police officers from across Germany were deployed to maintain order in Erfurt. Protesters tried to block access to the city and the conference center, but delegates arrived before sunrise. Chrupalla mocked the demonstrators, referencing the proverb "the early bird catches the worm."
