AfD re-elects Weidel and Chrupalla as co-leaders, but Chrupalla's support drops sharply

Vote results

Delegates at the AfD federal party congress in Erfurt re-elected the dual leadership of Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla on 4 July 2026. Weidel received 81.3 percent of the secret ballot, a slight improvement from the 79.8 percent she secured at the 2024 Essen congress. Chrupalla, by contrast, saw his support drop to 70 percent (70.05 percent according to one count), down from 82.7 percent two years earlier. No opposing candidates stood for either post; the two incumbents proposed each other. Before the vote, delegates had overwhelmingly backed the continuation of a dual leadership model, though the party statutes also allow a single chair.

Weidel's speech: attacks on Merz and migration

In her nomination speech, Weidel launched a sharp attack on Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the CDU, calling him "the Vivaldi among heads of government, a reform announcement for all four seasons." She added, "Every time he bangs the drum loudly, a string concert follows", implying that promises are later scrapped. The hall erupted in cheers when she declared, "We will rigorously deport!" Weidel also focused on economic policy, demanding "finally a free market economy again" and promising, "We will put the right reform programmes on track." Her speech drew sustained applause and a standing ovation from many delegates.

We will rigorously deport!

Chrupalla's speech: a call to govern

Chrupalla used his nomination address to stake a claim to power. "We want to govern," he said, describing the AfD as having grown into a people's party. "We have proven that we can do opposition work. And we will govern, first in a state, then at the federal level." He also appealed for unity, stating, "We stand for togetherness, not division." The applause after his speech was notably brief, lasting only a few seconds, and the reaction to his re-election was described as muted.

We want to govern — first in a state, then at the federal level.

Leadership history

Chrupalla, a 51-year-old master painter from Saxony, has led the AfD since November 2019, initially alongside Jörg Meuthen, who later left the party because it had become too radical for him. Weidel, a 47-year-old economist, joined as co-leader in summer 2022. Chrupalla is now the longest-serving chair in the party's history since its founding in 2013. The Erfurt congress also saw Stefan Möller, a close ally of Thuringian state leader Björn Höcke, move into the leadership circle. Both Möller and Höcke are classified as right-wing extremists by Thuringia's domestic intelligence agency.

Protests and extremism classification

The congress was accompanied by largely peaceful protests. The AfD itself is classified as a confirmed right-wing extremist organisation by domestic intelligence in Thuringia, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt. The party congress continues through 5 July, with votes on twelve further board positions, including contested deputy posts.