Thuringia’s Minister-President Mario Voigt of the CDU has publicly criticized AfD co-leader Alice Weidel, alleging a lack of patriotism following a recent televised interview. Voigt voiced his concerns on Monday during an appearance on the “Welt” television channel, citing Weidel’s inability to identify even a single positive aspect of Germany when prompted to list three. He stated that those who cannot acknowledge positive attributes demonstrate a lack of patriotism and express a negative view of the nation.
Voigt also expressed frustration regarding disruptions during the televised interview with Weidel, arguing that they served as a distraction from substantive debate. He suggested the disturbances may have inadvertently bolstered Weidel’s public image and ultimately hindered the demonstrators’ intentions. He emphasized the importance of directly addressing the AfD’s policies and demonstrating a lack of tangible plans for the country’s future.
Concluding his assessment, Voigt characterized the AfD’s approach as representing a decline for Germany, contrasting it with the state of Thuringia, which he highlighted as having the highest concentration of cultural and UNESCO World Heritage sites in Europe and a significant volunteer sector. He also referenced Germany’s leading position in European patent applications and innovation. Voigt directed his criticism toward Weidel, accusing her of cowardice for failing to acknowledge and discuss these positive aspects.