AfD leaders dispute climate change amid record German summer temperatures

In recent media interviews, AfD leaders Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel have challenged the significance of climate change and current environmental data. During an ARD summer interview, Chrupalla described the summer of 2026 as “quite normal” and dismissed discussions regarding climate change as “panic-mongering” and a “climate hype” intended to distract from real issues.

However, meteorological data from the German Weather Service (DWD) and other institutions contradict these claims. Records show that by the end of July 2026, the average temperature was approximately 19.25 degrees Celsius, making it one of the hottest summers on record. Notable weather events included a record temperature of 41.8 degrees Celsius in Saxony-Anhalt and historically low water levels in the Elbe river.

Additionally, AfD leader Alice Weidel expressed opposition to climate protection measures and advocated for Germany to exit the Schengen Area and the Eurozone. These statements come amid significant agricultural challenges in regions like Saxony-Anhalt, where heat and low precipitation have severely impacted crop yields.