But now, AfD leaders hope to make amends, particularly ahead of the European Parliament election in June in which both parties are poised to make significant gains, according to POLITICO’s Poll of Polls.
AfD co-leader Alice Weidel has promised to send a letter to Le Pen providing “explanations” regarding the AfD politicians’ participation in the extremist meeting, officials in both parties told POLITICO.
This week, Weidel traveled to Paris to meet with Le Pen and National Rally President Jordan Bardella in order to discuss “political questions,” as the AfD leader put it. It was there that Weidel agreed to provide the letter giving “explanations on ‘remigration’ and the meeting that took place,” according to National Rally lawmaker Thibaut François.
The revelation of the clandestine meeting struck a nerve in Germany, with many comparing the discussion to similar plans made by the Nazis. The news sparked massive protests against the AfD and right-wing extremism across Germany.
Weidel, however, has hit back at the criticism, saying the meeting was “private” and she accused the German left and journalists of using “Stasi-like service secret methods” to eavesdrop on the people taking part in the meeting.
On Thursday, François appeared confident that the letter would help repair relations with the AfD, telling POLITICO that the Potsdam meeting was not “official” and took place “outside the AfD’s remit.”
