In the spotlight due to her living situation and tax obligations, Alice Weidel, the Alternative for Germany’s (AfD) Chancellor candidate, faced direct questions from moderator Günther Jauch during the TV duel “Quadrell – Kampf ums Kanzleramt” on Sunday evening regarding her primary residence and tax payments.
Weidel, who has lived with her Swiss partner and two sons in Einsiedeln, Switzerland, since 2019, emphasized in the interview that she is registered in Germany and pays her taxes there. She explained that the double taxation agreement between Germany and Switzerland enables her to remain tax-payer in Germany despite her Swiss residence.
When asked if she pays taxes on all her income in Germany, Weidel replied with a clear “Of course.” She underscored that she does not pay taxes in Switzerland and is solely tax-payer in Germany.
Earlier reports, particularly from 2017, painted a different picture. At the time, the “NZZ am Sonntag” reported that Weidel had a residence in Biel and paid taxes there. Currently, she emphasizes that her primary residence and tax address are in Germany. The “Berliner Morgenpost” commented that Weidel could only be accused of tax evasion if her primary residence were in Switzerland.
A street survey by Bild suggests that Weidel spends a significant part of her time in Switzerland. Many residents of Überlingen reported never or only rarely seeing the politician, according to 20 Minuten. Yet, Weidel remains adamant that she wants to make politics for Germany and therefore is tax-payer in Germany.
The discussion around Weidel’s living and tax situation highlights the complexity of cross-border life models and the importance of clear tax regulations within the EU.