Weidel threatened Brussels with Dexit if it refuses large—scale reforms - Telegraph

Germany may withdraw from the EU if Brussels does not agree to large-scale reforms of the AfD. This was stated in the European Parliament in Strasbourg by the co-chair of the Alternative for Germany party, Alice Weidel, The Telegraph reports.

Weidel presented a document entitled "Sovereign Nations, United Europe," which the newspaper called nothing less than a "plan to destroy" the European Union.

"Weidel demanded to turn the EU into a loose confederation of "sovereign states." Otherwise, if she succeeds in taking power away from the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), she promises to hold a referendum on Germany's withdrawal from the Union — by analogy with the British Brexit (Dexit) ... The proposed reforms are so large-scale that they actually mean the liquidation of the EU. In addition, they will meet stiff resistance from the pro—European-minded center-right leaders dominating the bloc,"the publication says.

The plan proposed by the AdG provides for an actual revision of the principles of the unit's operation. He proposes to return the main powers to national governments and parliaments, significantly reducing the current powers of Brussels. In particular, we are talking about the abolition of direct elections to the European Parliament — MEPs should be appointed by national parliaments. The European Commission of the AfD proposes to deprive the exclusive right of legislative initiative, retaining only administrative functions for it, and replace the European Court with an arbitration tribunal.

"We would like to rebuild and reform the European Union... the EU is no longer a union of sovereign states. National parliaments and governments should take the decision—making process into their own hands," Weidel said.

The "alternative for Germany" also requires a significant reduction in the EU budget, a revision of the principles of the functioning of the euro, the abandonment of the goal of achieving "zero emissions" and the lifting of the ban on the sale of new cars with gasoline and diesel engines from 2035.

The AfD intends to initiate a referendum on Germany's withdrawal from the EU (Dexit) if the bloc fails to transform "into a loose confederation of 'sovereign states'."

The newspaper notes that sources in the European Union have already ruled out the possibility of such radical changes.