The philosopher expects Alice Weidel to become Chancellor of Germany within three years
Philosopher Richard David Precht suggested that Alice Weidel from the AfD party could become Chancellor of Germany within three years. In an interview with the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, he pointed to the ongoing paralysis of reforms in the country as a key factor behind the rise of the party.
Brecht described Germany as a "rusty tanker stuck on a sandy shore," noting that except for the Hartz reforms during Gerhard Schröder's era, no major reforms have occurred in recent decades. He says this stagnation has allowed both the Left Party and AfD to rise politically.
The AfD party is preparing for the possibility of participating in the government in several federal states such as Saxony-Anhalt, by hiring consultants and putting forward more radical electoral programs compared to the federal party. Brecht expects the AfD to become the strongest party in the upcoming federal elections, opening the door for cooperation with the CDU.
According to Brecht, the CDU may have to ally with the AfD, perhaps as a smaller partner under the leadership of Jens Spahn instead of Friedrich Merz. He warns that excluding the AfD could weaken the CDU, while participation would contribute to normalizing the party's position politically over time.
Brecht also pointed out that the AfD is softening some of its positions, including its stance on Russia, to improve its chances of government participation. It is expected that media attacks will decrease if the possibility of the AfD joining the next government becomes more realistic, while maintaining basic democratic principles, such as forming coalitions.