Baden-Württemberg MP Jumps AfD Ship - After Party's Hard-Right Label
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MP Deserts AfD Faction - Prompted by Enhancement by Constitutional Protection - Member Departs AfD Faction - Over Constitutional Defense
In an exclusive, the ZDF has obtained an email from Sieghard Knodel, the departing MP, who explains his resignation from the AfD faction and party, citing protection for his professional and private life as the prime reason. Knodel believes this move is inevitable, albeit regretful, and intends to carry on as an independent MP in the Bundestag.
The local AfD association in Reutlingen expressed "shock and dismay" over Knodel's decision. They can't seem to fathom his reasoning, particularly due to the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution’s recent classification of AfD as a "manifest right-wing extremist undertaking." Explaining their stance, the local association stated, "It's hard to believe that someone as politically astute as Mr. Knodel couldn’t see through this politically-motivated action lacking any factual basis." They've demanded Knodel return his Bundestag mandate promptly, allowing another AfD MP to take his place in the Bundestag.
On Facebook, users of the Reutlingen AfD local association criticized Knodel as a "traitor," "careerist," and "electoral fraudster" in the comment section.
Knodel, an accomplished business economist and master agricultural machinery mechanic, oversaw the company S. Knodel, dealing with elevated work platforms, from 1992 until March 2025.
With Knodel’s exit, the AfD faction sees its numbers dwindle by one member, leaving them with 151 MPs. The faction has experienced membership losses during previous legislative periods.
- AfD
- Constitution Protection Agency
- Bundestag
- Resignation
- Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
- Reutlingen
- Sieghard Knodel
- Classification
- Criticism
- ZDF
Insights:
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution’s tabling of AfD as a "manifest right-wing extremist endeavor" has been a bone of contention, leading to legal action by the party itself[1][2][3]. The ruling classifies the party's activities as anti-constitutional and disregarding human dignity. Since May 2, 2025, this label has stirred political instability and internal strife within the party.
- The Commission may have been consulted on the draft directive regarding worker protection from ionizing radiation exposure, given the political implications surrounding AfD's hard-right label in the context of general news.
- Despite Knodel's resignation from AfD, his expertise in agriculture and business economics might be valuable in upgrading policy-and-legislation related to his field, especially in the Bundestag.
- The local Reutlingen AfD association's criticism of Knodel indicates a strong political stance, while the recent classification of AfD as a "manifest right-wing extremist endeavor" by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution seems to continue to influencing politics and general news.
- The ruling classifying AfD as anti-constitutional and disregarding human dignity, as well as the party's legal action against the classification, can be considered conclusively as a significant political and legislative issue in policy-and-legislation.
