Alice Weidel Dominates 'Markus Lanz' with Controversial Rhetoric
The AfD leader defended Björn Höcke, criticized Ukraine's leadership, and dismissed coalition prospects with the CDU during a contentious talk show appearance.
- Alice Weidel expressed strong support for Björn Höcke, a controversial figure in the AfD, stating they have 'come closer' and that she would support his bid for minister-president of Thuringia.
- Weidel criticized Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, claiming he is obstructing peace efforts, while praising U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance as a 'wise man' with a vision for Ukraine.
- The AfD leader reiterated her 'Germany First' stance, dismissing the EU's role and advocating for a more isolationist approach, which other panelists challenged as unrealistic and harmful to Germany's economy.
- Weidel ruled out a coalition with the CDU under Friedrich Merz, accusing him of breaking promises and calling a proposed reform to the debt brake a 'financial coup.'
- The talk show faced criticism for allowing Weidel to dominate the discussion with evasive and contentious rhetoric, leaving little room for meaningful debate or fact-based rebuttals.
Stern 
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung 
