Germany’s AfD leader Alice Weidel calls for sweeping EU reform in Strasbourg

Alternative for Germany (AfD) leader Alice Weidel on Wednesday presented her party's new European policy plan in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, calling for a sweeping downsizing of EU powers and a "new deal" for Europe platform.

Weidel argued that sovereign states must protect their outer borders, calling for a veto right to opt out of EU-wide migration chaos or exit the Schengen open-border zone entirely. The party wants to return major competencies back to national parliaments and governments. Instead of direct elections for the European Parliament, the AfD proposes that delegates be appointed directly by national parliaments.