German AfD leader: Suspected extremists in the party are 'important'

Alice Weidel, the parliamentary leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Germany, says members of the party suspected by German intelligence of extremism are an 'important part' of the party.  

"The members of the far-right wing are an important part of the party. We have to accept a wide range of views," Weidel said in an interview with Switzerland's Weltwoche newspaper on last week.  

The far-right wing of the AfD, known as Der Fluegel (The Wing), is being monitored by domestic intelligence under suspicion of promoting extremist and racist ideologies. Its leader is Bjoern Hoecke, the head of the AfD in the state of Thuringia.

The AfD stands for conservative and traditional family values. The party also promotes an anti-immigrant, anti-Islam platform.    (dpa)