Today in Focus Alice Weidel: the far-right banker Elon Musk wants as German chancellor
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Feb 3, 2025 Join Kate Connolly, The Guardian's Berlin correspondent, as she explores the meteoric rise of Alice Weidel, the far-right candidate who could shake up German politics. They delve into Weidel's controversial branding and her party's evolution from Euroscepticism to radical anti-immigration stances. The conversation reveals how societal grievances bolster the AFD's popularity and examines the shifting political landscape ahead of the federal elections. Protests, coalition dynamics, and the impact of Weidel's ambitions are all on the table.
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Weidel's Campaign Launch
- Alice Weidel launched her campaign for German Chancellor with Elon Musk's endorsement.
- Musk believes Weidel and the AFD are Germany's best hope.
Weidel's Contradictions
- Weidel, a former Goldman Sachs banker, criticizes elites while living in Switzerland.
- She is a lesbian with a Sri Lankan partner, yet leads an anti-immigration party with a traditional family definition.
Weidel's Early Life and Politics
- Weidel's political views may have originated from childhood discussions with her father about newspaper articles.
- Her grandfather was a high-ranking Nazi judge, a fact she avoids discussing.