The University of Bayreuth is investigating AfD leader Weidel’s doctoral thesis following allegations of plagiarism. A report from 2011 listed several suspicious points. Weidel rejected the allegations and spoke of a campaign.
Accusations of plagiarism have been raised against AfD federal spokeswoman Alice Weidel. According to a report in the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, the University of Bayreuth is examining the 44-year-old’s doctoral thesis. A preliminary examination by the university showed that it should be examined more closely. The work will now occupy the university’s “Commission for Scientific Integrity”.
According to the report, two plagiarism detectors had previously contacted the university with a report on the work. Accordingly, there are 32 plagiarism fragments and 18 mislabeled quotations in the work. “We don’t see any large-scale plagiarism in Ms. Weidel’s dissertation, but we do see many small fragments of plagiarism,” said the lead author of the “SZ” report. “There is suspicion of plagiarism here.” Both authors would like to remain anonymous out of fear of possible dangers for themselves and their relatives, reports the “SZ”. Weidel’s work was awarded “Summa cum laude” in 2011 and deals with the pension system of the People’s Republic of China.
Weidel speaks of a campaign
Weidel rejected the allegations at X and spoke of a campaign against her personally, given the relatively high poll numbers for the AfD. The “political motivation” is obvious. “My doctoral thesis has probably already been scrutinized by dozens of plagiarism checkers, both carefully and without results,” Weidel said in a statement. An independent scientist described the allegations as baseless, so she looks forward to further developments calmly.
Weidel is also the leader of the AfD in the Bundestag. In nationwide surveys, the party is currently at 20 to 23 percent, second only to the Union and ahead of the SPD and the Greens. Weidel is said to have a good chance of running as the AfD’s candidate for chancellor in the upcoming federal election.