The chairman of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), Alexander Gauland, has warned his party against demands for a German EU exit.
„Whoever plays with the idea of a Dexit must be asked, is not that a utopia and should we not be realistic,“ said Gauland today in front of the approximately 500 delegates of the congress in Riesa.
Gauland showed understanding that many of his party colleagues wanted to abolish the „totalitarian apparatus“ in Brussels and Strasbourg. At the same time he warned: „We always have to take into account that the consequences may be unpredictable.“
Demand for „Dexit“ goes too far
Following Gauland’s speech, the debate on the election program of the AfD for the European elections began on 26 May. The program committee’s lead request contains the demand for a „Dexit“ if the EU is not reformed within five years according to the ideas of the AfD.
This is also the top candidate for the European elections, co-party leader Jörg Meuthen, too far. He wants to use an amendment to enforce the phrase „in due time“ and stress the possibility of leaving as a „last resort“.
„We do not have to abolish the EU, but bring it back to its meaningful core,“ said Gauland and referred to the original idea of economic integration. The situation was favorable, „we have partners who would go the way,“ said Gauland and called the FPÖ, the Italian right-wing party Lega and the right-wing Hungarian ruling party Fidesz. The EU is „sick in the head and limbs“ and must be reformed from scratch, said Gauland. „If she is not reformed, her days are numbered.“
