Alice Weidel, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, presented new proposals for reforms in the European Union during her visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. She described this institution as "severely in need of reform" and emphasized the need for its restructuring based on three fundamental principles.
Weidel's Proposed Principles
Weidel stated: "We want to establish the European Union based on three major principles: the first principle is local sovereignty, the second principle is responsibility, and the third principle is national sovereignty." Referring to the principle of local sovereignty, she expressed that competencies should be "transferred to the closest decision-making level" and added: "We do not want an unelected government or commission [of Europe] to interfere in your private life."
Read more: Alice Weidel presents a plan to reduce the size of the European Union
Weidel's Criticism of the European Commission
As an economist, Weidel criticized the lack of a group of independent countries in the European Union and stated: "In the parliaments of independent countries, leaders are elected, and therefore decision-making at the sovereignty level should be done in national parliaments, not here. Clearly." She also stated that the unelected European Commission has the "right of legislative initiative," which she believes "disrupts the balance and equilibrium" and the democratic decision-making process.
She pointed out the violation of European Union laws by this institution, particularly regarding sovereign debts and the duties of the European Central Bank, considering these issues as questions of accountability. Weidel also emphasized the necessity of protecting national borders and stated: "If the European Union is unable to protect its external borders, it is the duty of sovereign governments to protect their national borders."
Possible Consequences of Reforms
Weidel clarified that if the Schengen system cannot function properly, we must exit it and protect the borders. She added: "If Schengen fails, we must have the veto right to exit this chaos." While the European Union has a border management agency called Frontex, the responsibility for the external borders of the Schengen area and the European Union lies with national authorities.
Meanwhile, Friedrich Merz, the Chancellor of Germany, criticized China for its "unfair practices" in trade and called for a reduction of the trade deficit of EU member countries. These remarks sparked significant reactions, with one journalist telling him: "You sound very much like Donald Trump."
In another part of the event, Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, emphasized the need for Germany and Europe to participate in this industrial transformation while presenting his vision of the future AI revolution at a conference in Berlin. He said: "You need to transfer AI to the real world of production" and highlighted Europe's capabilities in training AI and developing custom models.
Ultimately, these proposed reforms by Weidel and the statements of other German officials indicate potential changes in the policies of the European Union and their impact on international and domestic relations of member countries.
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