Weidel: AfD would abolish the euro and close Germany’s borders if it comes to power

Alice Weidel, co‑leader of Alternative for Germany (AfD), told the public broadcaster ZDF that her party would abolish the euro and seal Germany’s borders if it wins a federal majority.

In an interview broadcast on the second channel of the German public service on 24 August 2026, Weidel described the single currency as problematic and repeated AfD’s pledge to withdraw Germany from the euro system as set out in the party’s Bundestag manifesto.

Weidel said the euro amounts to “an unstable currency” and “a soft currency,” arguing that it creates large redistributions. "You have a huge redistribution when you have an unstable currency," she told ZDF, adding that, in her view, Germany was “significantly better off” before the euro’s introduction and that "We see widespread impoverishment among the working strata of the population."

Border controls, Schengen exit and returns of refugees

Weidel criticised Germany’s migration policy and asserted the country currently has "open borders" where "anyone can enter," a situation she said undermines internal security. "We are very clear: we will close the borders," she said, and stated that AfD would pull Germany out of the Schengen Agreement. "That agreement will be terminated," she added.

On returns policy, Weidel claimed there are about 1.3 million Syrian nationals in Germany and said AfD would send Syrians back to their country of origin. She also urged an end to granting citizenship to people whom she believes should leave the country.

Speaking ahead of state elections in Saxony‑Anhalt, Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania and Berlin, Weidel expressed confidence in AfD’s prospects: "We will govern in the first federal states," she said, and insisted the party aims to govern federally as well: "We will govern at the federal level too. We will show people what we can do."

Photo: press material from the event