Story perspectives

AfD Unveils EU Reform Plan, Threatens Germany Contribution Cuts

By Drooid · Oct 22, 2026, 6:29 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Weidel Pushes EU Reform

AfD co-leader Alice Weidel presented an EU reform package at the European Parliament.
The party wants to replace direct European Parliament elections with delegates appointed by national parliaments.
It proposes limiting the European Commission to administrative tasks and replacing the European Court of Justice with an arbitration tribunal.
AfD threatens cutting Germany's EU contributions, seeking opt-outs from key policies, and, if reforms fail, a post-2029 EU-membership referendum.

Summary

AfD Cultural Event Condemned

Over 50 galleries in Düsseldorf and Cologne signed letters condemning the AfD’s “Cultural Policy From the Right” event.
The event, scheduled for Monday October 26, will include a walking tour and a lecture by AfD member Matthias Helferich.
In leaked chats, AfD member Matthias Helferich described himself as “the friendly face of the Nazis” and “democratic Freisler”.
The Heinrich Heine Institute withdrew from the event, citing “organizational reasons,” according to a city official.

History

Historical Context

In June 2016 the United Kingdom held a referendum in which 51.9% voted to leave the EU, sparking a surge of Euroscepticism across Europe. The result prompted far-right parties such as Germany’s Alternative for Germany to push reforms, with co-leader Alice Weidel urging that MEPs be replaced by national-parliament delegates and Matthias Helferich echoing the nationalist tone of the Brexit campaign.

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Weidel Pushes EU Reform

AfD co-leader Alice Weidel presented an EU reform package at the European Parliament.
The party wants to replace direct European Parliament elections with delegates appointed by national parliaments.
It proposes limiting the European Commission to administrative tasks and replacing the European Court of Justice with an arbitration tribunal.
AfD threatens cutting Germany's EU contributions, seeking opt-outs from key policies, and, if reforms fail, a post-2029 EU-membership referendum.

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