Enhanced Cohesion in the AfD: What's Behind the Recent Harmony
In a surprising turn of events, the Southwest chapter of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) kicked off their state election campaign on March 8th, showcasing a rare display of unity. The near-400 delegates voted as one, choosing the representatives for the first 19 spots on the list without much opposition or question. Only the 20th place was contested.
State parliamentarian Emil Sänze, a co-party leader, secured the top position, receiving a resounding 276 yes votes against 95 no votes. Most proposals from the initial round were approved, with only one candidate for the 18th place failing to make the cut.
The nearly unanimous vote is atypical for a regional branch that's been grappling with internal divisions for years. Previously, heated debates and power struggles marked the party conferences of the Southwest AfD. This time around, however, the scene at the Heilbronn congress center, rather appropriately named "Harmony," felt almost serene.
Is this newfound harmony the result of the AfD's current favorable poll results? According to a survey published in mid-May by Southwest Broadcasting (SWR) and the "Stuttgarter Zeitung," the AfD is polling at 19% in the state. The party asserts its right to lead the government, but no other party is willing to form a coalition with the right-wing populists, making government participation in the Southwest region unlikely.
Another factor contributing to this unity might be the change in the AfD's meeting and party conference structure. Previously, anyone with a party membership card could participate and vote, making organization complex and results unpredictable. This time, only delegates were involved, producing a more manageable and predictable process. Interestingly, the press was excluded from the delegate hall in Heilbronn.
The current harmony might also be due to some critics of the current state leadership leaving the party or stepping back. For instance, traffic politician Dirk Spaniel, a known opponent of Alice Weidel and the current state leadership, is no longer a member of the AfD.
Factors contributing to increased unity among regional AfD branches could include electoral success, centralized messaging, external pressures, strategic candidate selection, and local and national issues converging, resulting in common themes that don't leave much room for internal conflict.
Other factors leading to the harmony within the Southwest chapter of the AfD may include the change in the party's meeting and conference structure, reducing complexities and unpredictability in the voting process, and the departure of critics of the current state leadership like Dirk Spaniel. This unity could also be a response to the political landscape, as the AfD is currently polling at 19% in the state and asserting their right to lead the government, although no other party is willing to form a coalition with them, making government participation unlikely.
