AfD Nominates Footballer Thomas Berthold for German Presidency
The AfD has decided to nominate former footballer Bertold Ultras, a right-wing member of the
Consensus
- The AfD has nominated Thomas Berthold as its candidate for the German federal presidency.
- Thomas Berthold is a 62-year-old former football player who played 62 matches for the German national team and won the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
- The nomination was officially announced on November 14.
- The election of the German president will take place on January 30, 2026, by the Federal Convention.
- The AfD's choice of Berthold is described as symbolic and aimed at representing a 'new start' beyond political elites.
- Berthold is a non-partisan figure, and the AfD emphasized his status as someone from 'the heart of society'.
- Berthold has publicly criticized German government policies during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been associated with the Querdenken 711 movement.
Points of divergence
- The AfD leadership explicitly stated that the choice of Berthold was made to ensure a 'new start' beyond party calculations and old political elites. — fontanka
- Sopresident Tino Hrupealla highlighted Berthold's 'courage' during the pandemic, noting he acted 'without regard for personal consequences'. — fontanka
- Sopresident Alisa Waidel stated that the AfD chose Berthold to represent a 'new start' and to ensure the president is 'from the people'. — fontanka
- The AfD leadership described Berthold as a 'champion without a party card' and someone who 'unites people around a common goal'. — fontanka
- The AfD leadership emphasized Berthold's role in the 1990 World Cup victory as a unifying achievement. — fontanka
- The AfD leadership cited Berthold's public criticism of pandemic measures and his participation in Querdenken 711 protests as evidence of his independence. — fontanka
- Tino Hrupealla emphasized Berthold's popularity among Germans and his willingness to oppose state measures during the pandemic 'without considering personal consequences'. — tg_dwglavnoe
- Tino Hrupealla specifically referenced Berthold's 1990 World Cup win as a key part of his public image. — tg_dwglavnoe
- Sopresident Alis Waidel stated that Berthold was chosen as a candidate 'from the people' who can 'sincerely express the interests of all citizens'. — vesti
- Vesti reported that the AfD had previously announced plans to nominate Berthold before the official announcement. — vesti
- The Social Democrats (SPD) criticized Berthold's candidacy, calling him an unsuitable candidate due to 'doubtful statements' and ties to Querdenken. — fontanka
- The CDU/CSU faction called Berthold a 'distinguished footballer' but dismissed him as not a serious candidate due to his 'questionable statements' and Querdenken links. — fontanka
Coverage (4 sources)
- AdG decided to put forward former footballer Bertold for the post of President of the FRG — DW Главное
- AdG put world football champion Thomas Berthold forward as German president — Фонтанка
- AdG put forward former footballer Bertold as candidate for German president — Вести
- AdG plans to put world football champion Bertold forward as candidate for German president — Вести
Key entities
- Thomas Bertold
- FRG
- AdG
- Germany
- Alisa Vaidel
- Alternative for Germany (AdG)
- Moscow
- X
- Bild
- Berlin
- Alternative for Germany
- Tino Hrupalla
- Alternative for Germany (AfD)
- Moscow 13 Novosti
More on Alisa Vaidel
- Photo - © Telegram channel of Vladimir Zelenskyy. Ukrainian…
- Cyberattack on the AdG party: hackers posted hundreds of thousands…
- BSW founder Sarah Wagenknecht stated that Germany needs to conclude…