Alexander Gauland Rebuts Alice Weidel’s Claim About Hitler’s Ideological Affiliation
Berlin, Germany – Alexander Gauland, the co-founder and honorary chairman of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), has vehemently rejected the notion espoused by party leader Alice Weidel that Adolf Hitler was a communist.
In an interview for the ZDF documentary "Alice Weidel – A Portrait," Gauland unequivocally stated, "That was certainly not the case. It is also incorrect. The Nazis imprisoned or murdered all the communists in concentration camps."
Weidel’s assertion, made during a live conversation with billionaire Elon Musk on Musk’s X platform in January, sparked widespread criticism. She had claimed that National Socialists, as the name implies, were socialists. Referring to Hitler, she added, "He was a communist and saw himself as a socialist."
Historians denounced Weidel’s statements as an attempt to whitewash history and absolve the AfD of accusations of right-wing extremism.
Undeterred, Weidel reiterated her stance in an interview with RTL/ntv, declaring, "As an economist, it is crystal clear to me that Adolf Hitler was a leftist." She asserted that she would not deviate from this view.
Gauland, who had previously been a staunch supporter of Weidel’s rise within the AfD, has largely withdrawn from active political life. However, he has recently made the decision to run for the Bundestag, despite having initially ruled it out.
Weidel’s comments have caused a significant uproar in Germany, particularly among members of the Jewish community. Anti-Defamation League director Monika Schwarz-Friesel condemned Weidel’s remarks as "a dangerous and antisemitic distortion of history."
Historians have also pointed out that Hitler’s ideology was rooted in extreme nationalism, anti-Semitism, and a rejection of communism. The Nazi regime implemented economic policies that were characterized by heavy state intervention, but these were not based on socialist principles.
The ongoing controversy surrounding Weidel’s statements has further highlighted the divisions within the AfD. While some members have defended her, others have expressed concern that her rhetoric could alienate potential voters and damage the party’s reputation.
It remains to be seen how the AfD will navigate this ideological battleground as it enters the final stretch of the election campaign. The party’s future may depend on its ability to reconcile its competing narratives and maintain a coherent message.
Additional Background Information:
- The AfD is a far-right political party in Germany that has been criticized for its anti-immigrant and euro-skeptic views.
- Gauland is a controversial figure known for his inflammatory remarks and his ties to the far-right.
- Weidel is a rising star within the AfD who has been touted as a potential successor to Gauland.
- Hitler’s Nazi regime committed genocide against millions of people, including Jews, Roma, and other minorities.
