Breaking: First MP Exits AfD Faction Post-Intelligence Classification
MP Departs from AfD's Parliamentary Faction - Initial Party Member Steps Down from AfD Party
Looks like the classification of the AfD as "undoubtedly far-right" by Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the BfV, has driven the first domino. Sieghard Knodel, a Baden-Württemberg MP, just left the AfD parliamentary group and the party itself, on Monday. Knodel's resignation was confirmed by the faction on Tuesday. The former MP cited the upgrading of his party by the BfV as the reason for his decision, stating it threatened his professional and personal environment[1].
Knodel, a master mechanic and business economist, has stepped down as an independent member of the Bundestag, citing a need to safeguard his personal and professional life[1].
AfD Faction Down by One - Knodel's Decision Frustrates District Association
Reutlingen, Knodel's former AfD district association, expressed "shock and dismay" at Knodel's resignation. The reasoning behind Knodel's leave - the BfV's designation of the AfD as "confirmed right-wing extremist" - was incomprehensible to the district association[2]. They urged Knodel to immediately return his Bundestag mandate, allowing another AfD MP to take his place in the federal parliament[2].
Characterizing the BfV's action as "politically motivated and lacking any factual basis," the district association lamented Knodel's political understanding[2].
On the district association's Facebook page, Knodel's decision sparked outrage, with users calling him a "traitor," "careerist," and "election cheat."
Recent Player in the Chess Game of Politics
In his biography on the Bundestag website, Knodel was identified as a business economist and master mechanic for agricultural machinery. From 1992 to March 2025, Knodel served as the managing director of S. Knodel, a company specializing in the sale and rental of aerial work platforms[1].
With Knodel's departure, the AfD faction loses a single member, shrinking to 151 MPs[1]. The faction has previously experienced membership declines during previous legislative periods.
- Sieghard Knodel
- AfD
- BfV
- Bundestag
- Domestic Intelligence Agency
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[1] German domestic intelligence agency classifies AfD as "undoubtedly far-right" - deutschland.de[2] AfD MP Sieghard Knodel leaves parliamentary faction - dw.com[3] Former AfD MP's resignation caused by intelligence agency classification - reutlinger-nachrichten.de
- The Commission has also been informed about the progress of the negotiations on the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union, as it follows the general news related to policy-and-legislation and politics.
- Recently, the AfD, a German political party, faced a significant setback when one of its members, Sieghard Knodel, a master mechanic and business economist, resigned from the party and the Bundestag.
- In a surprising turn of events, Knodel's resignation was a direct response to the classification of the AfD as "undoubtedly far-right" by Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the BfV.
- This classification, as Knodel stated, threatened his professional and personal environment, leading to his resignation and a potential shift in the political landscape of Moldova's negotiations with the European Union.
