AfD's Alice Weidel to Unveil Plan to Cut EU Powers, Report Says

AfD's Upcoming Policy Paper on EU Reform

On Wednesday, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) is scheduled to release a new policy paper that outlines a sweeping reduction of powers held by the European Union. The document, prepared by the party’s parliamentary group, will be presented by co‑leader Alice Weidel, a prominent figure in the party’s far‑right faction. According to a Politico report, the paper will call for a dramatic rollback of competencies that the EU currently exercises in areas such as trade, immigration, and fiscal oversight.

Key Proposals to Reduce EU Authority

The draft plan is expected to focus on three core areas:

1. Repatriation of legislative competence. The AfD seeks to return decision‑making on trade agreements, customs regulations, and market standards to national parliaments.
2. Limitation of supranational budget control. The party proposes to cap the EU budget and to eliminate the EU’s ability to impose financial sanctions on member states that deviate from common rules.
3. Restriction of immigration policy. The document calls for the abolition of the EU’s common asylum system and for each country to set its own entry criteria.

In addition to these headline items, the paper will likely contain a series of subsidiary measures, such as:

• Removing the European Court of Justice’s jurisdiction over national courts in certain cases.
• Ending the EU’s role in coordinating cross‑border energy policy.
• Requiring a double majority in the European Council for any future treaty amendment.

Political Context and Party Strategy

The timing of the policy paper coincides with a period of intense debate over the future of the European project. Recent elections in several member states have produced gains for parties that question deeper integration, and the AfD appears to be positioning itself as the German champion of national sovereignty.

Alice Weidel has repeatedly emphasized that the AfD’s stance is not anti‑European but rather pro‑German. In a televised interview last month, she argued that “the European Union should serve the interests of its citizens, not the other way around.” The new proposal is intended to translate that rhetoric into concrete legislative goals.

Electoral Calculus

Analysts suggest that the AfD hopes the policy paper will energize its base ahead of the next European Parliament elections. By presenting a clear roadmap for dismantling what the party views as an overreaching bureaucracy, the AfD aims to differentiate itself from the more moderate CDU/CSU and SPD, which continue to advocate for reform rather than rollback.

Reactions from Brussels and German Parties

The European Commission has already signaled that it will monitor the AfD’s proposals closely. A spokesperson for the European Commission warned that “any attempt to undermine the legal foundations of the Union would be contrary to the values enshrined in the Treaty.”

Within Germany, the response has been mixed. The governing coalition, composed of the CDU/CSU and the SPD, dismissed the plan as “politically motivated” and “economically dangerous.” In contrast, members of the liberal FDP expressed a willingness to discuss specific aspects of the proposal, particularly those related to fiscal autonomy.

Parliamentary Debate Expected

When the policy paper is released, it is likely to trigger a series of debates in the Bundestag. The Bundestag website lists upcoming sessions on EU affairs, and the AfD’s motion is expected to be tabled for a vote on the next plenary meeting.

Implications for EU Governance

If the AfD’s recommendations were to gain traction at the national level, the European Union could face a profound shift in its decision‑making architecture. A reduction in EU powers would affect:

• The ability of the EU to negotiate trade deals as a single entity.
• The enforcement of common standards for consumer protection, environmental policy, and digital markets.
• The coordination of migration and asylum procedures across the Schengen area.

Such changes could also influence the EU’s external credibility. International partners might perceive a fragmented Europe as less capable of presenting a united front on climate policy, security matters, and global trade negotiations.

Critics argue that dismantling existing mechanisms could lead to regulatory duplication, increased costs for businesses, and a resurgence of nationalist disputes that the Union was designed to mitigate. Proponents, however, claim that returning authority to national governments would enhance democratic accountability and respect the principle of subsidiarity.

Potential Legal Challenges

Any amendment to the EU’s competences would require treaty changes, which in turn demand ratification by all member states. The AfD’s call for a “double majority” in the European Council—meaning both a majority of member states and a majority of the EU population—adds an extra procedural hurdle. Legal scholars note that such a requirement is not currently part of the EU’s treaty framework and would itself need to be incorporated through a formal amendment process.

Outlook

As the policy paper is unveiled, the political landscape in Germany and across Europe will likely shift. The AfD’s push to curtail EU powers reflects a broader trend of skepticism toward supranational governance. Whether the proposal will translate into legislative action remains uncertain, but its introduction is set to spark vigorous debate in both national and European forums.

Observers will be watching closely to see how other parties respond, how the European institutions defend the existing treaty architecture, and whether the AfD’s strategy will resonate with voters who are increasingly concerned about sovereignty, immigration, and economic independence.