BERLIN (Reuters) – A co-leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Tino Chrupalla, is set to attend the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, just weeks before a crucial federal election in Germany, as confirmed by the party on Thursday.
Chrupalla’s participation in the event comes in the wake of an endorsement of the AfD by prominent Trump ally Elon Musk and a public exchange on the social media platform X between co-leader Alice Weidel and Musk, which has raised concerns about the potential influence of the U.S. billionaire on European politics.
Recent polls consistently position the anti-immigration AfD as the second most popular party in Germany, trailing behind the conservative party, ahead of the upcoming election on February 23 in Europe’s largest economy. Despite its popularity, mainstream political parties have firmly declared their refusal to cooperate with the AfD, citing ongoing surveillance by security services over allegations of right-wing extremism.
In a written statement, Chrupalla expressed the party’s stance on attending Trump’s inauguration, asserting, “Attending the inauguration of President Donald Trump demonstrates our commitment to pursuing policies that prioritize our interests. We are prepared to serve as a viable alternative and a steadfast partner within the European continent. It is imperative for Germany to uphold positive and peaceful relationships with all nations.”
In a departure from tradition, Trump has extended invitations to various foreign leaders to attend the inauguration ceremony, a move that stands in contrast to past practices where foreign dignitaries refrained from attending due to security considerations and opted to send diplomatic representatives instead.
It is noteworthy that the German government will be represented at the inauguration by its ambassador to the United States, underscoring the significance of the event in the context of international relations and diplomatic protocol.
(Reporting by Madeline Chambers; editing by Matthias Williams)
