The Presidency Office of the Identity and Democracy group in the European Parliament has decided to immediately exclude the German delegation of AfD (Alternative for Germany). This decision was made due to incidents involving Maximilian Krah, the lead candidate of AfD for the European elections, who made controversial statements about the SS Nazis. The group, led by Italian MEP Marco Zanni and vice-president Jordan Bardella of Marine Le Pen’s RN, does not want to be associated with such statements. This decision was made in a press release issued today.
The exclusion of the AfD delegation comes amidst a debate in Brussels between the lead candidates for the position of President of the European Commission. The current President, Ursula von der Leyen, who is running for re-election for the European People’s Party, made a strong statement against far-right parties such as Rassemblement National in France, AfD in Germany, and Konfederacja in Poland. She accused them of being friends of Putin and seeking to destroy the EU, vowing not to allow this to happen. This statement was made in the context of growing concerns about the rise of far-right populism in Europe.
The decision to exclude AfD from the Identity and Democracy group reflects a growing divide between mainstream and far-right political parties in Europe. The controversial statements made by Maximilian Krah highlighted the deep-rooted historical and political differences between these groups. The Identity and Democracy group, which includes right-wing populist parties from various European countries, is seeking to distance itself from extremist views that could damage their credibility and alliances within the EU.
The exclusion of AfD from the group also has implications for the future of right-wing populism in Europe. The decision to cut ties with a major German far-right party like AfD could signal a shift in the political landscape, with mainstream parties taking a stronger stand against extremism. This move by the Identity and Democracy group could lead to further isolation of far-right parties within the European Parliament and weaken their influence in European politics.
Overall, the decision to exclude the AfD delegation from the Identity and Democracy group reflects the ongoing struggle between mainstream and far-right political forces in Europe. The debate over the role of far-right parties in European politics is likely to continue, with mainstream parties seeking to counter extremism and uphold the values of the European Union. The exclusion of AfD from the group sends a strong message about the limits of acceptable political discourse within the EU, and highlights the challenges of maintaining unity in the face of growing polarisation and extremism.
