AfD re-elects Weidel and Chrupalla as leadership tilts further right, while 31,000 protest in Erfurt
Alice Weidel strengthened her grip on the party as the AfD congress in Erfurt re-elected both co-leaders, shifted the federal board rightward, and drew more than 31,000 protesters onto the streets.
Leadership confirmed
Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla were re-elected as co-chairs of Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) for another two years at the party’s federal congress in Erfurt. Weidel received 81.3 percent of delegate votes, a slight improvement on her 2024 result, while Chrupalla dropped to 70 percent, down from 83 percent two years ago. Both stood unopposed.
We are the strongest force. We are a 30-percent people’s party. And we will govern.
The vote masked deeper tensions. Commentator Gabor Halasz described the congress as a staging aimed at avoiding open conflict before upcoming state elections. Weidel prevailed on several personnel decisions, and the new board composition was widely read as a shift toward her camp.
Board shifts rightward
Six of the 14 members of the newly elected federal board come from state branches that Germany’s domestic intelligence agency classifies as confirmed right-wing extremist. Among them is Jean-Pascal Hohm, who also chairs the party’s new youth organisation “Generation Deutschland” and previously lost his job in the Brandenburg state parliamentary group over contacts in the far-right scene. Stefan Möller, a close ally of Thuringian AfD leader Björn Höcke, also joined the board. Höcke was convicted twice in 2025 for using a banned SA slogan.
Right now, on the threshold of power, our people is not negotiable.
Deputy chair Sven Tritschler explicitly rejected moderation, insisting the party must stick to its “remigration” demand. The congress signalled no intention to follow the path of some other European right-wing parties toward the centre.
Mass protests in Erfurt
More than 31,000 people demonstrated against the congress, according to police. Organiser alliances “Zusammenstehen” and “Widersetzen” put the figure at around 50,000. Activists arrived from across Germany in over 200 coaches. Delegates were brought to the venue under police escort from 3 a.m. to avoid blockades; by 5 a.m. more than 500 of the roughly 600 delegates were already inside.
Erfurt has set a sign for a vibrant democracy.
Mayor Andreas Horn (CDU) praised the city’s open, peaceful character. Interior minister Georg Maier called the protests “colourful and loud”.
Police operation and incidents
Around 10,000 officers secured the congress. Police president Thomas Quittenbaum said the operational concept “worked 100 percent”. Authorities recorded 65 criminal offences and 13 administrative violations, including property damage, assault, and breaches of assembly law. Eleven police officers and several media workers were slightly injured. Three reporters from “Apollo News” were physically attacked; a “Junge Freiheit” representative had his phone stolen. Suspects in the robbery were identified. Pepper spray and batons were used in isolated cases, including when demonstrators tried to break through a barrier and attack officers.
- From 3 a.m., delegates are bused to the venue under police protection; over 500 of 600 are inside by 5 a.m.
- The party congress begins punctually at 10 a.m. with full delegate rows, while protesters block access roads and the A71 motorway.
- Weidel and Chrupalla are re-elected; Weidel gets 81.3%, Chrupalla 70%. New federal board is elected, shifting influence toward Weidel and the right wing.
- Over 31,000 demonstrators rally across Erfurt; 15,000 gather directly in front of the congress venue. Police report mostly peaceful conduct.
- Sunday sees quieter proceedings with administrative votes. Police report 65 crimes and 11 officers injured over the two days.
Looking ahead to state elections
The congress was also a launchpad for autumn state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Saxony-Anhalt’s lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund drew crowds and selfie requests. Weidel told the party’s own TV channel that entering government there would “lead abruptly to a normalisation of our party”. Meanwhile, many demonstrators called for a ban of the AfD, a step that can only be initiated by the federal government, Bundestag, or Bundesrat and would ultimately be decided by the Federal Constitutional Court.
