Full Breakdown
AfD Plans to Curtail EU Powers Ahead of 2029 Elections
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Proposal Unveiled by Alice Weidel
Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) will present a policy paper outlining a sweeping reduction of European Union authority. Co-leader Alice Weidel is set to deliver the document to the European Parliament, where the party will argue for a “leaner” EU that retains membership and the euro but relinquishes many current competences.
Institutional Reforms Outlined in the Paper
According to Politico, the AfD’s draft calls for several structural changes:
- Delegates to the European Parliament would be appointed by national parliaments rather than elected directly.
- The European Commission’s role would be limited to purely administrative tasks.
- The European Court of Justice would be replaced by an arbitration tribunal.
- Germany’s contribution to the EU budget would be sharply reduced, and the party would seek exemptions from EU rules on migration, social policy, and possibly agriculture and finance.
Political Landscape and Feasibility
The AfD does not initially seek an EU or eurozone exit; instead, it aims to force reforms and, failing that, trigger a German referendum on EU membership. Such a referendum would require a constitutional amendment to the German Basic Law, demanding a two-thirds majority in both the Bundestag and the Bundesrat—an extremely high threshold. Recent German federal election surveys place the AfD in first position, but forming a governing coalition would require partners. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has pledged a “firewall” against any cooperation with the AfD, limiting coalition prospects.
Timeline and Electoral Ambitions
The party targets the 2029 German and European elections to implement its EU agenda. By that time, the AfD hopes to translate its policy platform into legislative influence, contingent on overcoming the constitutional hurdle for a membership referendum and securing coalition partners.
Potential Impact on Germany-EU Relations
If enacted, the proposed reforms would reshape EU decision-making, curtail the Commission’s policy-making capacity, and alter the judicial landscape by removing the European Court of Justice. A reduced German budget contribution and sector-specific opt-outs could weaken fiscal solidarity and complicate coordination on migration and social issues. The plan’s success hinges on electoral outcomes, coalition dynamics, and the ability to amend Germany’s constitution—factors that remain uncertain as the 2029 elections approach.
