The far-right faction within the AfD party is intensifying pressure on Meuthen
Berlin - The pressure on Alternative for Germany (AfD) party leader Jörg Meuthen mounts following the party conference in Kalkar, as per a report in the latest edition of "Spiegel".
Representatives of the nationalist wing within the AfD are urging a drastic shift in direction from Meuthen, with Baden-Württemberg MP Dirk Spaniel stating, "No one should lead the AfD unless they enjoy a strong majority of more than 50 percent internal support."
Meuthen, a representative of a libertarian-conservative and moderately-leaning faction within the AfD, found himself at odds with the radical elements in the party over his speech against their more extreme positions at the federal party conference. "His speech led to widespread bewilderment among a large segment of the party," Spaniel commented.
Despite Meuthen's efforts to stem the tide of radicalism and foster unity, only a narrow majority of 53 percent of the delegates at the conference voted not to condemn his statements. Hansjoerg Mueller, acting chairman of the AfD in Bavaria, continues to press for change, stating, "The party remains divided, and we are in urgent need of a solution."
Mueller and the AfD in Bavaria are now planning a summit with the federal board and all state chairmen to discuss the issue.
The ongoing divisions within the AfD were exacerbated by Meuthen's departure in early 2022, triggered by the party's growing embrace of a more extreme far-right and nationalist agenda under the leadership of figures like Björn Höcke. The nationalist wing has successfully radicalized the AfD’s election program on key issues, including opposition to COVID-19 restrictions, the promotion of conspiracy theories related to the pandemic, and an aggressive anti-lockdown stance[1][2]. The party's radicalization has also extended to calls for a "large-scale remigration project" and explicit xenophobic rhetoric, which has attracted the attention of German domestic intelligence agencies and resulted in the classification of the AfD as a "proven right-wing extremist" organization[3][4][5].
Despite the increasingly polarized atmosphere within the AfD and its marginalization from mainstream political alliances, the party manages to resonate with a segment of voters who hostile immigration, COVID-19 measures, and EU integration[1][3][4]. Consequently, it remains a significant force in German politics, with Meuthen’s departure and the nationalist wing's consolidation of power significantly altering the party's direction towards overt radical nationalism[1][2][3][5].
- The ongoing political divisions within the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, as highlighted by the recent conference in Kalkar, have led to calls for new policy-and-legislation adjustments and a shift in the party's overall direction, with representatives of the nationalist wing advocating for a more drastic change.
- Despite the growing radicalization of the AfD, with calls for remigration projects, anti-lockdown stances, and xenophobic rhetoric, the party continues to make an impact in general-news discourse as it resonates with a segment of the population hostile towards immigration, COVID-19 measures, and EU integration, positioning the party as a significant force in German politics.
