Germany's hard-right AfD leader blasted as 'wolf in sheep's clothing' as immigration row erupts
Berliners have been protesting against hard-right AfD party
The leader of the hard-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has been accused of being a "wolf in sheep’s clothing" and warned that mass deportation plans have sparked fear among Germans.
The co-leader of the German Social Democrats (SPD) slammed Alice Weidel and described the AfD as "rightwing extremist".
During a parliamentary debate on "fortifying democracy", Lars Klingbeil said Weidel was a "wolf in sheep’s clothing" after her "teary-eyed" description of what she said was a "smear campaign" against the party.
It comes after private gathering of the party - which took place in November in Potsdam - discussed proposals for a mass deportation.
Lars Klingbeil said Weidel was a "wolf in sheep’s clothing" after her "teary-eyed" description of what she said was a "smear campaign" against the party
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Klingbeil said revelations about the meeting on “remigration” had triggered concern across the country.
"Your facade is beginning to crumble," he said. "The true face of the AfD is clearly coming to light."
Demonstrators are set to carry out a sixth night of protests across Germany against the AfD.
Klingbeil added: "At kitchen tables across Germany, German citizens are having to discuss with each other whether they should flee their own country."
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He also alleged that the AfD wants to "expel those who are not white enough, [or] have the ‘wrong’ surname."
Investigative journalism bureau Correctiv reported the contents of the meeting, which the AfD has confirmed attending, following an inquiry.
However, the party has denied its association with the organisers or the plans discussed to “name the backers planning this coup d’etat with you” at the event and at six other similar gatherings which allegedly took place since autumn 2021.
The latest polls shows the AfD remains the second-strongest political party, with no evidence that its ratings had been damaged by the revelations.
The leader of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has been accused of being a "wolf in sheep’s clothing" and warned that mass deportation plans have sparked fear among GermansGettyFollowing a fiery debate, AfD MPs rejected the accusations.
Bernd Baumann, the head of its parliamentary group, described the meeting as "a roundtable of businesses and self-employed people who regularly meet up to exchange thoughts" who had been defamed by the ruling coalition.
He said: "The wind is turning.
"Germany is going to get something new. The AfD is coming for Germany – whether you like it or not".