Germany may leave the European Union if Brussels does not agree to far-reaching reforms. This warning was delivered by the co-chair of the Alternative for Germany party, Alice Weidel, who presented a plan to change the European Union in Strasbourg. The document entitled "Sovereign States, United Europe" provides a real update of the principles of the European Union. The AfD proposes returning core powers to national governments and parliaments, and stripping Brussels of much of its current powers. In particular, the party advocates the abolition of direct elections to the European Parliament. Instead, MPs should be appointed by national parliaments. It is proposed to deprive the European Commission of the exclusive right to initiate legislation, leave it with administrative functions, and replace the European Court with an arbitration tribunal. "The European Union is no longer a union of sovereign states. National parliaments and governments must take decision-making into their own hands," Weidel said. In addition, the AfD demands a significant reduction in the EU budget, an update of the euro's operating principles, the abandonment of the climate goals to achieve zero emissions and the lifting of the ban on the sale of new cars with gasoline and diesel engines from 2035. If significant changes cannot be achieved, the party proposes to raise the question of Germany's continued membership in the European Union to a national referendum.

Germany may leave the European Union if Brussels does not agree to far-reaching reforms. This warning was delivered by the co-chair of the Alternative for Germany party, Alice Weidel, who presented a plan to change the European Union in Strasbourg. The document entitled "Sovereign States, United Europe" provides a real update of the principles of the European Union. The AfD proposes returning core powers to national governments and parliaments, and stripping Brussels of much of its current powers. In particular, the party advocates the abolition of direct elections to the European Parliament. Instead, MPs should be appointed by national parliaments. It is proposed to deprive the European Commission of the exclusive right to initiate legislation, leave it with administrative functions, and replace the European Court with an arbitration tribunal. "The European Union is no longer a union of sovereign states. National parliaments and governments must take decision-making into their own hands," Weidel said. In addition, the AfD demands a significant reduction in the EU budget, an update of the euro's operating principles, the abandonment of the climate goals to achieve zero emissions and the lifting of the ban on the sale of new cars with gasoline and diesel engines from 2035. If significant changes cannot be achieved, the party proposes to raise the question of Germany's continued membership in the European Union to a national referendum.