It’s something of a far-right lovers’ quarrel.
Relations between Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and Marine Le Pen’s National Rally, both members of the far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group in the European Parliament, have been strained of late after an investigation revealed that AfD politicians took part in a clandestine meeting of right-wing extremists near city of Potsdam in which “remigration” plans to deport foreigners and “unassimilated” citizens were discussed.
Le Pen has since sought to distance herself from the AfD, part of a larger effort to make her party appear less radical and more palatable to a general electorate. In January, Le Pen slammed the secret get-together, saying that she was in “total disagreement” with the reported discussions on “remigration.”
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.”
That’s a change of tone from recent comments by party leaders. Last month Le Pen said she preferred to “be alone rather than in bad company,” according to French media reports.
It’s unlikely Le Pen will break from the AfD over the clandestine meeting unless she is able to find other powerful partners on the EU level. Le Pen has ambitions of creating a large nationalist coalition in the European Parliament after the June election.
The letter is expected to reach National Rally next week, according to Weidel’s spokesperson.