AfD federal leadership demands repeat election in North Rhine-Westphalia

The national leadership of Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has intervened in a chaotic state conference in North Rhine-Westphalia, demanding its immediate termination. In a letter sent to all members, the federal leadership urged the regional executive board to halt the ongoing party conference in Marl and completely restart the selection process for candidates in the 2027 state election.

The letter, signed by party co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, cites "consistent reports" suggesting that delegates with voting rights were "threatened or significantly pressured." The leadership warned that the events at the Marl conference could lead to the state's electoral list being disqualified for the upcoming state parliament elections.

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Consistent reports indicate that delegates with voting rights were threatened or significantly pressured.

This intervention appears to be an attempt to de-escalate an internal power struggle within the AfD's largest state chapter. The conference has been marked by intense conflict between factions supporting federal leader Tino Chrupalla and those aligned with co-leader Alice Weidel. Reports indicate that supporters of Weidel had previously called for the removal of two board members associated with Chrupalla's faction, accusing them of threats and physical altercations during the initial part of the conference.

Sources within the party suggest that a more severe response, such as expelling the accused members, was considered but ultimately rejected. Such a move could have created a deadlock within the already divided state executive board and further inflamed tensions between the rival factions. The current demand for a complete restart aims to prevent a repeat of what the leadership described as a "debacle" similar to one experienced in Bremen in 2023.

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Such a debacle as happened in the Bremen citizens' election in 2023 must be prevented in the AfD's largest state association.