Leaving the Far-right Fray: AfD MP Sieghard Knodel Steps Down
MP departs from AfD parliamentary faction, alleges ideological differences - AfD's first deputy steps down from position
In the unfolding drama of German politics, AfD MP Sieghard Knodel has bid adieu to his party after the domestic intelligence agency classified the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a confirmed far-right group. Knodel, hailing from Baden-Württemberg, departed the faction and the party on Monday, informing Julia Klöckner, the President of the Bundestag. The AfD's faction spokesman confirmed the exit on Tuesday.
Knodel's decision was due to the need to safeguard his professional and personal sphere, as the shift became inevitable, albeit regrettable. He intends to carry on as an unaligned Bundestag representative.
Bye Bye Bundestag Group, Hello Independence
The local AfD association in Reutlingen felt taken aback and disheartened by Knodel's decision. They couldn't comprehend the reasoning behind Knodel's step, which was attributed to the AfD's upgrading by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The association requested Knodel to relinquish his Bundestag mandate promptly to facilitate a new AfD representative joining the legislative body.
In their view, the BfV's classification was a politically motivated and baseless action. They lamented that Knodel, with his departure, had demonstrated an inability to discern this fact.
On the local Reutlingen AfD Facebook page, Knodel's decision was met with stinging reactions, as users branded him a traitor, careerist, and election manipulator in the comment section.
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Off with the AfD Faction Members, One by One
As a business administrator and master mechanic for agricultural machinery, Knodel is listed on the Bundestag website. From 1992 to March 2025, he served as the managing director of S. Knodel, a company specializing in aerial work platforms' sale and rental.
With Knodel's departure, the AfD faction lost one member, shrinking down to 151 MPs. The faction has experienced membership losses in prior legislative periods.
- Sieghard Knodel
- AfD
- Domestic Intelligence Agency
- Bundestag
- Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
- The recent departure of Sieghard Knodel, an AfD MP, from the Bundestag was announced after the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classified the AfD as a far-right group.
- Knodel's decision to leave the AfD faction and the party was due to the need to safeguard his professional and personal sphere, and he intends to continue as an independent member of the Bundestag.
- The classification of the AfD by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has been a point of contention, with Knodel's local AfD association in Reutlingen viewing it as a politically motivated and baseless action.
- With Knodel's departure, the AfD faction has lost one member, leaving them with 151 MPs, a number that has decreased through membership losses in previous legislative periods.
