Alice Weidel, the openly lesbian leader of Germany’s far-right party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), presents a complex and often contradictory figure in European politics. As she rises in influence, her personal identity as a lesbian woman raising two children with her Sri Lankan-born filmmaker partner challenges traditional expectations – especially within a party known for its hardline nationalist and anti-immigration stance.
Weidel, 46, has a background far removed from typical far-right populism. Fluent in English and Mandarin, she earned a doctorate in economics and worked for Goldman Sachs and Allianz Global Investors. She also lived in China for six years, writing her thesis on the Chinese pension system. Despite her international experience and progressive personal life, her political positions align with the AfD’s right-wing, anti-immigration, and Eurosceptic policies.
Her journey into politics began with opposition to eurozone bailouts, leading her to join the AfD in 2013. She admires former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and supports neoliberal economic policies such as tax cuts and reducing welfare. Weidel has also expressed scepticism toward the European Union, suggesting member states should have the right to hold referendums on leaving the bloc.
Despite the AfD’s traditionally conservative and male-dominated base, Weidel has successfully positioned herself as a more polished, middle-class-friendly face of the party. This strategy has contributed to a surge in support, with recent polls suggesting the AfD could secure a record 21% vote share in upcoming elections.
Weidel’s leadership reflects a careful balancing act—modernising the party’s image while maintaining its core nationalist policies. For the LGBTQ+ community, she represents a paradox: an openly lesbian politician leading a party that has been criticised for its opposition to progressive social policies. Her rise raises important questions about representation in politics and the role of LGBTQ+ individuals in conservative movements.
