The far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has unveiled a sweeping structural overhaul proposal for the European Union, which it argues has ceased to be a union of sovereign states. Presented by co-leader Alice Weidel at a press conference in Strasbourg, the platform calls for abolishing the directly elected European Parliament, curtailing the European Central Bank, and granting member states the right to exit EU treaties such as the Schengen Agreement (24chasa.bg; Eurocom).
AfD proposes dissolving the European Parliament
AfD’s strategic document, titled “Our New Deal for Europe,” outlines a radical decentralization of power away from Brussels and back to national capitals (Eurocom). According to the proposals presented by Weidel at the European Parliament, the directly elected European Parliament would be dissolved and replaced by an assembly of delegates appointed directly by national parliaments (24chasa.bg; Eurocom). The European Commission would also be reduced strictly to an administrative body, stripping it of its exclusive right to initiate EU-wide legislation (Eurocom). Weidel criticized this exclusive legislative power as a severe violation of the democratic decision-making process (24chasa.bg). Under the party’s plan, the European Council—composed of the leaders of the 27 EU member states—would become the primary decision-making organ (24chasa.bg). The EU Court of Justice would also be replaced by an arbitration court (Eurocom).
AfD demands restricted powers for the ECB
The AfD strategy targets the eurozone’s monetary framework, demanding a complete overhaul due to what the party describes as structural imbalances (24chasa.bg; Eurocom). The party insists that the European Central Bank (ECB) must have its powers strictly restricted to its original mandate of maintaining price stability (24chasa.bg). The plan also demands that Germany’s voting weight within the ECB Governing Council be significantly increased (Eurocom). This policy aligns with previous statements by Weidel, who vowed in August to pull Germany out of the eurozone should the AfD attain power (24chasa.bg).
Germany may block funding to force reforms
To enforce these sweeping changes, the AfD proposes using Germany's financial contributions and veto power within the bloc (Eurocom). The party demands the elimination of EU budget contributions linked to value-added tax and plastic packaging, alongside a strict spending cap on the Brussels budget (Eurocom). If the EU refuses these structural reforms, the party proposes blocking EU funding and drastically cutting German financial contributions (Eurocom). The strategy also seeks immediate opt-outs for Germany in migration, taxation, defense, and shared debt, alongside the complete revocation of European climate mandates (Eurocom). AfD’s European affairs spokesperson, Peter Boehringer, emphasized that this approach represents a consistent political stance rather than a sudden shift, positioning structural reform as a strict precondition before considering a complete withdrawal from the EU (Eurocom).
Party congress must approve reforms by 2027
Implementing these proposed changes into the official party platform requires formal approval from an AfD party congress scheduled for 2027 (Eurocom). Should the EU fail to enact these requested reforms by 2029—the year of the next federal elections in Germany—the party intends to push for a national referendum on Germany’s continued membership in the European Union (Eurocom).
Frequently Asked Questions About the AfD European Union Overhaul Plan
What happens to the Schengen Agreement under the AfD proposal?
The strategy grants individual member states the legal right to exit overarching EU agreements. Weidel specifically cited the Schengen area for free movement, stating that if the zone fails to function properly, Germany must be able to leave it in order to protect its national borders (24chasa.bg).
When will the AfD formally vote on these proposed reforms?
The structural changes outlined in the “Our New Deal for Europe” document require formal approval from an official party congress that has been scheduled for 2027 (Eurocom).
What is the deadline set by the party for EU reforms before a potential membership referendum?
The AfD has established a deadline of 2029—coinciding with the next federal elections in Germany—for these institutional changes to be achieved, failing which the party plans to hold a referendum on Germany’s EU membership (Eurocom).
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