ALICE WEIDEL VOWS TO FLY GERMAN NATIONAL FLAG ON EVERY GOVERNMENT AND SCHOOL BUILDING IF AFD TAKES POWER
AfD co leader Alice Weidel has promised to fly Germany's black, red and gold national flag on government and school buildings if her party enters government. Her comments come after the AfD secured a historic 43.8 percent of the vote in Saxony Anhalt, more than twice the CDU's 17.2 percent, although the party fell short of an outright majority.
AfD co leader Alice Weidel has pledged that Germany's black, red and gold national flag will be flown on government and school buildings if her party takes power.
Weidel made the declaration as the Alternative for Germany celebrated a historic election victory in Saxony Anhalt, where the party secured its strongest result in a German state election.
"When we are in government, we will put the black red gold flag on every government building, on every school building," Weidel said.
She described the German colours as symbols of freedom and national identity.
AFD RECORDS HISTORIC VICTORY
Initial exit polls on Sunday placed the AfD at approximately 44.5 percent, more than twice the support recorded by Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU.
Preliminary official results later put the AfD at 43.8 percent of the vote, compared with 17.2 percent for the CDU.
The AfD secured 39 seats in the 83 seat state parliament, leaving it three seats short of the 42 required for an outright majority.
The result represents the strongest state election performance in the AfD's history.
WEIDEL PUSHES NATIONAL PRIDE
Weidel's flag pledge reflects the AfD's broader emphasis on German national identity and patriotism.
The party has also campaigned for German national flags to replace LGBTQ pride flags at public schools and has pushed for changes to immigration, education and cultural policies.
Supporters argue that displaying Germany's national flag more prominently should be considered a normal expression of patriotism.
Critics of the AfD, however, remain concerned about the party's nationalist policies and political direction.
The AfD branch in Saxony Anhalt has been classified as a confirmed right wing extremist organisation by the state's domestic intelligence agency, a designation the party rejects.
CAN THE AFD GOVERN
Despite its commanding election victory, the AfD does not have enough seats to govern alone.
Germany's mainstream parties have largely maintained their refusal to enter governing coalitions with the AfD.
The election result therefore creates an unusual situation in which the party that received by far the largest share of votes could still remain outside government.
The coming negotiations will determine whether the AfD can find a path to power or whether rival parties can construct an alternative government without it.
VNTV
