As Germany braces for its most consequential federal election in decades on February 23, 2025, Alice Weidel—the openly gay, Swiss-dwelling economist leading the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD)—has become the nation’s most polarizing political figure. With her party surging to 20% in polls and threatening to upend traditional coalitions, Weidel’s contradictions are rewriting Germany’s political playbook.
From Goldman Sachs to Far-Right Firebrand
Weidel, 45, began her career as a Goldman Sachs analyst before working six years in China for the Bank of China. Her pivot to politics came in 2013 when she joined the AfD—then a Eurosceptic protest party—at her partner Sarah Bossard’s urging. Despite being a West German lesbian raising two adopted children with her Sri Lankan-born partner, Weidel now leads a party dominated by East German conservatives advocating mass deportations and “remigration” policies.
The AfD’s Meteoric Rise
Recent polls show the AfD doubling its support since 2021, capitalizing on:
- Germany’s two-year recession and energy crisis
- Voter frustration with Scholz’s collapsed “traffic light” coalition
- Endorsements from Elon Musk, who hosted Weidel for a viral interview defending Nazi history revisionism
Controversies Fueling Campaign Momentum
Weidel faces scrutiny over:
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Swiss Donor Scandal | Austrian FPÖ politician Gerhard Dingler allegedly funneled €2.35M through Swiss billionaire Henning Conle—a potential campaign finance violation |
| Extremist Ties | Fired advisor Roland Hartwig after he attended meetings discussing mass deportations |
| COVID-19 Denialism | Claims vaccine injuries aren’t properly investigated despite contracting COVID herself |
The Chancellor Question
While CDU/CSU’s Friedrich Merz leads polls at 30%, analysts warn an AfD second-place finish could destabilize coalition math. Weidel has softened some positions—abandoning calls to return to the Deutsche Mark—but maintains hardline stances on:
- EU reform ultimatums: “No democratic fixes? Then Brexit-style referendum”
- Immigration: Advocates “Fortress Europe” and bans on Islamic veils
- Ukraine: Opposes EU membership bids during wartime
