Germany’s far-right AfD launches Weidel as candidate for chancellor

Earlier, AfD co-chair Tino Chrupalla said with regard to current opinion polls: “Now we have to leave the 20% [public support level] behind us and continue to climb,” with the aim of putting Weidel in the Chancellery.

There was no counted vote in the selection: Weidel was instead elected the party’s candidate through acclamation by standing up.

For months, the AfD has been in second place in voter polls – behind only the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU).

Despite its growing popularity, the AfD appears to have no chance of participating in government because no other party is ready to form a coalition with it.

The party conference in Riesa began with a delay of more than an hour due to blockades and protests by AfD opponents on several access roads.