AfD party leader defends same-sex relationships despite party stance

The leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), Alice Weidel, who lives in a same-sex civil partnership, distanced herself on Sunday from part of a regional party manifesto backing the traditional family model, saying she lives "something different."

"They can write whatever they like. I live something different," Weidel said in response to a question from RTL/ntv about the election manifesto of the AfD in the state of Saxony-Anhalt.

The manifesto states: "An intact family consisting of a mother, father and children has been proven to be the best foundation for a child's healthy development."

Weidel lives in a registered civil partnership with a woman, with whom she is raising two children.

"If you ask me personally: my children have the best upbringing and the best opportunities," Weidel said on the sidelines of the AfD party conference in the eastern city of Erfurt.

"We are now living in a completely different reality. So same-sex relationships must be treated equally," she added.

Weidel nonetheless defended her party's fundamental stance towards the traditional family model. "When, as a politician, I speak of a societal ideal - and that is currently the traditional family - I can advocate it and there is no contradiction," she said.