Fan cult: Why AfD election frontrunner Alice Weidel is celebrated like a star in China

While Alice Weidel makes surprisingly little mention in Germany of the fact that she lived in China, the election frontrunner for the far-right AfD is celebrated for it in the People's Republic – as an internet star and media darling. She fits the image of the nationalist 'Iron Lady,' who is extremely popular with conservative Chinese.

Last updated: 24. July 2025