AfD Faces Internal Chaos Over Top Candidate's Controversial Statements
In a dramatic turn of events, the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has found itself embroiled in controversy just weeks before the European elections. The party's leadership has barred its top candidate, Maximilian Krah, from appearing in any campaign events, following his contentious remarks about the SS and mounting accusations of espionage and corruption.
Krah's comments during an interview with the Italian newspaper 'La Repubblica' sparked the latest uproar. When questioned about the National Socialist SS, Krah remarked, 'I will never say that anyone who wore an SS uniform was automatically a criminal.' This statement, among other controversies, led to the withdrawal of the French National Rally's (RN) support for AfD in the European Parliament. The RN, under leader Jordan Bardella, cited Krah's statements as crossing 'red lines' and announced the termination of their five-year alliance with AfD.
Adding to the turbulence were allegations of espionage involving one of Krah's assistants, Jian Guo, who was arrested under suspicion of spying for Beijing. Krah is also under scrutiny for potential financial ties to Russia and China. As a result, both Krah and another top candidate, Petr Bystron, have stepped back from election campaigning, dealing a significant blow to the party's electoral strategy.
Impact on the European Election Campaign
The internal discord within AfD has surfaced at a critical juncture, with early postal voting already underway. Despite the chaos, current polling suggests the party still commands 15-16% of the vote, a slight improvement from its 2019 performance. However, the long-term implications of this scandal are uncertain. Calls from rival political figures, like CSU General Secretary Martin Huber and CDU MEP Peter Liese, for Krah to resign from the European Parliament have intensified.
Krah has defended himself by stating that his factual and nuanced comments are being used to harm the party. Meanwhile, intra-party reactions have been mixed; some members believe the measures against Krah have not gone far enough. The federal executive board has considered revoking membership rights for both Krah and Bystron, with talks of party exclusion circulating but not yet gaining a majority.
Future of AfD and Its Alliances
The scandal has repercussions beyond Germany, affecting AfD's alliances on the European stage. Marine Le Pen's RN and potentially other right-wing factions like Italy's Lega and Austria's FPÖ are distancing themselves from AfD. The loss of these alliances could weaken AfD's influence in the European Parliament post-election.
The upcoming federal party conference in Essen at the end of June will be crucial. It remains to be seen how party leaders Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel manage the crisis and whether disciplinary actions against Krah and Bystron will escalate. The outcomes of this conference will likely shape the party’s strategy and alliances moving forward.
- Bystron cited family reasons for stepping back from the campaign, following a series of home searches tied to ongoing investigations. He described the situation as media incitement against his family, emphasizing the personal toll of the scandal.
- The AfD's struggles come at a time when other far-right movements in Europe are striving to consolidate power. The estrangement from traditional allies like RN and potential distancing from future partners could isolate AfD, affecting its long-term strategic goals.
- Internally, the AfD is grappling with factional divides. While some members support decisive action against Krah and Bystron, others fear that the party's current approach may not effectively resolve the controversies. The upcoming federal party conference will be a critical moment for the AfD to address these internal divisions and present a unified front.
