The leader of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), Alice Weidel, says her party would seek to take Germany out of both the eurozone and the Schengen area if it comes to power.
In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF, Weidel described the euro as an "unstable" and "soft currency," arguing that Germany was better off before adopting the single currency. She also called for Germany to close its borders and said the Schengen agreement should be ended, arguing that open borders pose a threat to internal security.
Migration would also be a major focus of an AfD government, according to Weidel. She called for reduced migration, more deportations and tighter restrictions on access to German citizenship. She also said all 1.3 million Syrians currently living in Germany should be returned to Syria.
Weidel reaffirmed the AfD's opposition to a ban on vehicles with internal combustion engines. On climate change, she argued that changes in the climate have always occurred and said there was no need for measures targeting human-caused global warming.
The AfD leader said she expects the party to enter government at the state level in upcoming regional elections before eventually taking part in a federal government.
