Meet Germany’s Far-Right Leader, a Study in Contradictions

Vice President JD Vance recently criticized his German hosts for sidelining far-right parties without explicitly naming the Alternative for Germany (AfD). Following his controversial speech at the Munich Security Conference, where he likened democracy in Europe to Soviet-era totalitarianism, Mr. Vance met with Alice Weidel, the leader of the AfD.

Alice Weidel, a former investment analyst raising two sons with her wife in Switzerland, has emerged as the unexpected face of the AfD. Despite her party’s nationalist and anti-immigrant stance, she has garnered support from influential figures like Elon Musk, helping the AfD secure a strong position ahead of the national election.

Known for her cosmopolitan image, Alice Weidel has brought a different perspective to the AfD, which has been associated with neo-Nazis and extremist ideologies. Despite her efforts to present a more moderate front, critics argue that the party, under her leadership, has become increasingly radical.