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Michael Frisch, 66, former head of the AfD in Rhineland-Palatinate, calls it quits. Despite his commitment to the party's core principles, he found himself at odds with the current leadership.
"I've tried my best to promote change within the state party, but my efforts have been met with resistance," Frisch shared in Mainz. "Instead, the issues I raised have only grown more profound. The AfD in Rhineland-Palatinate has morphed into an exclusive club, ruled by a select few."
Criticism and constructive dialogue have fallen by the wayside, Frisch argued, as self-promotion and loyalty take center stage. "Personal gain and self-serving perspectives have become the norm," he stated. Furthermore, Frisch noted a persistent drift to the right within the party that he can no longer endorse.
After a power struggle towards the end of 2023, Frisch was ousted as the AfD's faction leader in the state parliament. Jan Bollinger took over, and Frisch eventually parted ways with the party's parliamentary faction, accusing Bollinger of breaking promises. Despite this, he managed to retain his seat as a legislator.
Despite his continued affiliation with the AfD's core beliefs, Frisch felt compelled to separate himself from the party. "I see no reason to remain a member after over a decade with the AfD," he declared. Frisch's responsibilities in the state parliament remain unchanged, and he plans to carry on his local political activities in Trier.
Regrettably, the absence of open dialogue and self-interest in the party's ranks made participating in the annual holiday gathering a moral quandary. Frisch chose to forgo the gathering, citing a stark contrast between his values and the current party landscape.
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