Full Breakdown
AfD’s Blueprint to Reshape the European Union
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Unveiling a “New Deal for Europe”
On a Wednesday in Strasbourg, Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), presented a policy program titled “Our new deal for Europe.” The document calls for a radical reduction of EU institutions, a shift of decision-making to national parliaments, and extensive opt-outs for Germany on fiscal, migration and energy rules. The same day, Marine Le Pen outlined a parallel vision for France, also calling for a stripped-down European Commission.
Background & Context
The AfD’s push follows recent state-level victories in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, which have boosted its national poll standing to roughly 29-30 %. The party’s paper, obtained by Politico, proposes replacing directly elected European Parliament members with delegates appointed by national legislatures and converting the European Commission into a mere administrative secretariat.
Data & Statistics
- Electoral strength: In a recent state election, the AfD secured 43.8 % of the vote and 39 of 83 seats in Saxony-Anhalt, three short of an absolute majority.
- Email breach: Reuters reported that over 420,000 emails were stolen in a cyberattack disclosed on October 20, 2026; Euronews cited 421,000 emails, while a leaked archive contained 281 GB of data.
- Budget proposals: Le Pen proposes capping France’s net EU contribution at €5 billion per year; the AfD’s paper emphasizes ending Germany’s role as “paymaster” without giving a specific figure.
Official Statements & Responses
Weidel argued that the European Central Bank should be confined to its price-stability mandate, criticizing it for “financing state debt.” Both leaders said the reforms aim to protect national borders, with Weidel warning that a failing Schengen system would justify Germany’s exit from the zone.
Criticism & Opposition
Migrant-rights groups in Germany, citing the AfD’s potential participation in a Saxony-Anhalt government, warned that the party’s broader agenda—including EU opt-outs—could undermine democratic protections.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The scale of the email breach varies: Reuters mentions “over 420,000” emails, Euronews reports “421,000,” and a leaked archive references “281 gigabytes” of data. No source has confirmed the identity of the attackers or the full extent of compromised information. The AfD’s paper does not quantify the projected reduction in Germany’s EU budget contribution.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our aim is to assume government responsibility after the next federal elections” — Alice Weidel
- “There is a ban on the ECB, the European Central Bank, financing state debt. And what is the ECB doing? It's financing state debt” — Alice Weidel
- “If Schengen [system] is over and it doesn't work, we need to get out of Schengen and protect our borders,” — Alice Weidel
- “I’m not fooled by what the European Commission wants to do. The European Commission wants to turn itself into a state; we do not. And so we will stand in its way,” — Marine Le Pen
What’s Next
The AfD’s reform agenda targets the 2029 European and German federal elections as the moment to implement its proposals. If EU institutions resist, the party’s plan states that Germany could invoke a veto on budget legislation and, as a last resort, consider a referendum on EU membership.