German opposition leader Alice Weidel delivered a fiery speech at CPAC Hungary, condemning her country’s political establishment while establishing the AfD as a crucial force in Europe’s conservative movement.
At a Glance
- Weidel addressed approximately 600 international guests at CPAC Hungary, positioning AfD as Germany’s legitimate opposition to Chancellor Merz’s coalition
- She highlighted Germany’s struggles with mass migration, rising crime rates, high taxes, and inflation under current leadership
- Weidel warned of attempts to ban the AfD despite its growing popularity, calling such efforts “grotesque” and “authoritarian”
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and other European conservative leaders showed strong support for Weidel and AfD
- The conference emphasized the necessity of preserving Western values against globalist agendas
A Conservative Alliance Forms in Budapest
CPAC Hungary 2025, organized by the Center for Fundamental Rights, has emerged as a significant gathering for conservative forces across Europe. The event brought together prominent conservative figures including four current and four former prime ministers, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán opening the proceedings. The conference showcased growing solidarity among European conservative movements facing similar challenges across the continent.
Alice Weidel, leader of Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), took center stage as one of the conference’s most anticipated speakers. Her inclusion represents a significant shift in how mainstream conservative movements are engaging with parties previously kept at arm’s length. As the main opposition to Germany’s ruling coalition under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Weidel’s presence signaled growing recognition of AfD’s legitimacy within the broader European conservative landscape.
Weidel Exposes Germany’s Current Challenges
In her address, Weidel provided a stark assessment of Germany’s current condition under its present leadership. She highlighted issues ranging from uncontrolled migration to economic decline, painting a picture of a country in crisis. The AfD leader criticized the political establishment for continuing policies that she argues have undermined German prosperity and security, despite recent electoral defeats of left-green coalitions.
“Politics have turned Germany into a danger zone. Its people suffer from mass migration, exploding crime rates, high taxes, energy prices, inflation, and the destruction of wealth. That is why they voted out the old left-green government only to get a government that continues down the same disastrous path.”, said Alice Weidel.
Weidel’s speech resonated with the conference attendees, who shared concerns about similar trends across Europe. Her critique of the European Union’s globalist agenda found common ground with other national conservative movements represented at the conference, including those led by Hungary’s Orbán and Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was also in attendance.
Standing Against Political Persecution
A central theme of Weidel’s presentation was what she described as lawfare against her party. She detailed attempts by Germany’s political establishment to ban the AfD despite its growing electoral success, particularly in eastern German states. These efforts, according to Weidel, reveal the establishment’s fear of genuine political opposition and willingness to use institutional power to preserve the status quo.
“Influential politicians in Germany have their minds made up to ban the strongest opposition political party, the Alternative for Germany. They would eliminate a political force that will soon form the government in several East German (states); furthermore, they want to ban a party that has caught up with and overtaken the Chancellor’s party itself. It is grotesque, it is authoritarian, and yet this is the path they pursue—but they will not prevail.”, added Weidel.
The conference itself was characterized by Matt Schlapp, President of the CPAC Foundation, as the “largest gathering of patriots ever.” This description reflects the event’s focus on resistance to globalist policies and defense of national sovereignty. Conference organizers highlighted the importance of perseverance in political struggle, even invoking former US President Donald Trump’s exhortation to “Fight, fight, fight, and never give up.”
Building a European Conservative Movement
CPAC Hungary represented a significant effort to unite conservative forces across Europe. The inclusion of Santiago Abascal, leader of the Patriots for Europe movement, alongside Weidel and other prominent conservatives, demonstrated the conference’s ambition to establish a cohesive pan-European conservative alliance. This cooperation could prove crucial as European nations face similar challenges to their sovereignty and traditional values.
Weidel’s performance at CPAC Hungary has drawn comparisons to other European conservative leaders like Nigel Farage, positioning her as an influential voice in the continent’s conservative movement. The warm reception she received, particularly from host Viktor Orbán, suggests growing international support for the AfD’s platform and recognition of Germany’s pivotal role in shaping Europe’s future direction.
