Edward Marchesi Alice Weidel, co-leader of Alternative for Germany, held a press conference at the European Parliament in Strasbourg , where she reiterated the centrality of state sovereignty in border management and the organization of European integration. In her speech, Weidel argued that " border protection is the prerogative of sovereign states ," and linked this statement to a direct criticism of the functioning of the Schengen Area, suggesting that the agreement could be abandoned if it fails to guarantee national security.
Weidel's statements and demands on the future of Schengen
At the institutional headquarters in Strasbourg, the German leader explained that if the European Union is unable to ensure the protection of its external borders, " then it is up to individual sovereign states to protect their own national borders ." Weidel also proposed that national governments have the power to veto and "opt out of this chaos," arguing that the loss of border control risks compromising citizens' security and identity.
In his speech he stated clearly: " This is not what Europe should represent ."
Call for detention and expulsion
Weidel used harsh language on the issue of immigration, arguing that those who cause "disruption" in European countries " should not be welcome; they should be detained and then expelled ." This position reiterates his party's restrictive stance on border control and underscores the AfD's importance of restoring responsibility for immigration and security to the national level.
Participation in the "A New Pact for Europe" event and dynamics within the ESN group
Weidel's presence in Strasbourg was also connected to the event entitled "A New Pact for Europe," a platform where her party and allies are seeking to promote a model of the Union based on stronger nation states. At the same time, the European political group ESN, of which AfD is a member, is facing an internal review following accusations of violations of the Union's values made by the Authority for European Political Parties . Discussions on internal controls and possible financial sanctions are still ongoing.
During the consultations, the ESN prepared a defense brief in which it disputes certain allegations as being linked to events prior to the formal establishment of the group and the party itself. Among the measures proposed to mitigate the consequences, the group favors less drastic measures than deletion from the European party register, suggesting, for example, a "recall" or "temporary suspension of funding" as alternatives to permanent loss of funding.
The document accompanying the movement's positions also calls for the introduction of new internal rules to ensure compliance with EU law by affiliated national parties, while criticizing investigators for using excessively subjective interpretative criteria in assessing violations of EU values. The internal discussions within the ESN group reflect broader tensions over the relationship between national sovereignty and European constraints.
The debate that emerged in Strasbourg highlights two related issues: on the one hand, Weidel's explicit political proposal to restore member states' autonomy in matters of borders and security, and on the other, the institutional implications for the European political group involved in the investigation. These dynamics mark a clear divide between those who advocate strengthening national competences and those who advocate maintaining EU protections and rules at the European level.
The debate in the chamber and corridors of the European Parliament continues to be monitored by observers and political actors, with the issue of supranational borders and responsibilities at the heart of a debate that, as demonstrated by group-level initiatives and the leaders' public positions, is unlikely to die down any time soon.