The Thuringian AfD party is experiencing turmoil as some members demand the expulsion of party leader Björn Höcke just before the local elections on May 26th. This demand comes as a result of Höcke’s support for an alternative list for the election and plans to remove AfD candidates from the party. However, Thuringia’s AfD Vice Torben Braga has called these suggestions “absurd” as the members making the demand are not eligible to file for expulsion. Some members of the party have expressed their dissatisfaction with Höcke and his leadership style, claiming that he surrounds himself with yes-men and behaves like a narcissist.
In response to the calls for Höcke’s expulsion, Braga stated that nine AfD members in the region are facing expulsion proceedings, with seven of them having their membership rights immediately revoked until a decision is made by the disciplinary court. Braga emphasized that the rules of the AfD’s constitution in Thuringia state that disciplinary measures against board members must be requested by a higher-ranking board, meaning that in Höcke’s case, the request must come from either the state or federal board. Despite the internal conflict within the Thuringian AfD party, Höcke has not yet issued a statement regarding the demands for his expulsion.
The local elections in Thuringia on May 26th are eagerly anticipated, particularly in light of the power struggle within the state party. Recent events in the Saalfeld-Rudolstadt district have led to tensions as some AfD members formed the “Alternative for the Saalfeld-Rudolstadt District” (AfL) voter association. Nine AfD politicians are running on the AfL list, in opposition to the official AfD list, causing friction within the party. The state AfD and Björn Höcke are reportedly supporting the AfL, prompting concerns about competition within the AfD ranks.
The AfD leadership in Thuringia has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the nine party members on the AfL list, accusing them of significant violations of party rules and causing harm to the party. These accusations include claims of conspiring against democratic decisions within the party. Among those facing party expulsion is Jörg Gasda, who has been accused of election fraud related to the candidate list for the official AfD. The state party has alleged that the members went against party resolutions and submitted a candidate list without proper authorization, violating party regulations.
Björn Höcke, a prominent figure in the far-right wing of the AfD, has recently faced legal issues after being fined 13,000 euros for using a prohibited SA slogan in a speech. He has filed for a revision against the verdict, claiming that he used the term without knowledge of its historical connotations. Despite these legal challenges, Höcke continues to be a divisive figure within the AfD, with some members seeking his ouster while others support his leadership. The outcome of the internal power struggle within the Thuringian AfD is likely to have significant implications for the party’s future direction and influence in the region.
