German Chancellor Slams AfD's 'Dexit' Push

Scholz Warns of Catastrophic Consequences for EU

Berlin, Germany (AP)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday slammed the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and its plans for a so-called "Dexit," saying that any move to leave the European Union would be catastrophic for the bloc's largest economy.

The AfD, which has recently gained ground in the polls, has adopted a strongly anti-EU stance, calling for a referendum on German membership in the bloc. At a two-day conference ahead of the 2024 European Parliament elections, the party's leadership outlined its strategy, which includes pushing for a Brexit-style referendum.

Scholz, a Social Democrat who has been a strong supporter of European integration, condemned the AfD's plans, saying that they would "endanger the future of Germany in Europe and the European Union as a whole." He warned that a Dexit would lead to economic isolation and political instability.

"The AfD's Dexit plan is nothing more than a reckless gamble with the future of our country," Scholz said. "It would damage our economy, weaken our security, and undermine our global standing."

The AfD's leadership has dismissed Scholz's criticism, arguing that the EU is an undemocratic and bureaucratic institution that stifles German sovereignty. They have also cited the UK's Brexit referendum as a model for Germany, arguing that the British people voted to leave the EU because they were tired of being ruled by Brussels.

However, Scholz and other German leaders have warned that a Dexit would have far more negative consequences for Germany than Brexit did for the UK. Germany is a major exporter and relies heavily on the EU's single market for trade. A Dexit would also undermine Germany's security and foreign policy cooperation within the EU.