Berlin, August 23, 2026
Alice Weidel, the leader of the AfD, addressed the issues of the upcoming regional elections, the German economy, and industrial policy in a summer interview on ZDF, expressing confidence in her party's electoral prospects.
In the ZDF-Sommerinterview, broadcast on Sunday, Alice Weidel discussed the AfD's prospects ahead of the upcoming regional elections, with particular attention to the state of Sachsen-Anhalt. The party leader painted an optimistic picture of the formation's electoral chances, signaling a growing internal confidence compared to previous votes.
The electoral picture and Sachsen-Anhalt
Weidel addressed the issue of the competitiveness of the German automotive industry in the face of growing Chinese demand for electric vehicles. Asked how Germany could respond to this challenge, the AfD leader stated that she does not want to prescribe to citizens which car to buy, instead advocating the need for a «Markt- und Technologieoffenheit». The position expressed fits into the broader European debate on competition with Chinese manufacturers and on the continent's industrial policies.
