The Alternative for Germany (AfD), a national conservative party, is strengthening its connections across the Atlantic with an official delegation visit to the United States. Led by co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, a 20-member group is set to engage closely with members of the U.S. Republican Party, aligning with their conservative ideologies.
Key figures from the Bundestag, including Gerold Otte, Jan Nolte, and Hannes Gnauck, are attending the Transatlantic Parliamentary Forum in Washington, alongside representatives from the European Parliament and the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament. Central to this trip is deputy parliamentary group leader Markus Frohnmaier, who will be honored with the “Allen W. Dulles Award” from the New York Young Republican Club, recognizing the AfD’s efforts in a politically challenging environment in Germany.
Frohnmaier has noted that discussions will cover crucial topics such as migration policies, freedom of speech, governance, and domestic security measures, especially concerning the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The deputy leader of the party, Beatrix von Storch, emphasized the shared goals of the AfD and the Republican Party, presenting the visit as a significant opportunity for collaboration.
As the delegation visits the U.S., recent polls highlight a surge in AfD’s popularity in Germany. An INSA survey indicated that the party has reached 27% support—the highest level in its history— with predictions of possibly approaching 30% in the near future. Weidel remarked on the party’s growing influence, asserting that “there’s even more to come.”
The official status of the delegation allows for parliament-funded travel expenses, although not without criticism. CSU state group leader Alexander Hoffmann condemned the initiative as “anti-Germany diplomacy.” Nonetheless, the AfD plans to foster connections between young politicians in both parties, indicating a long-term strategy for enhancing transatlantic political relations amid a backdrop of rising populism in Europe.
This endeavor exemplifies how the AfD seeks to redefine its international stance, embracing ties with like-minded conservative forces in the U.S., while attracting attention to its growing domestic support.