The German far-right AfD party faced a significant setback on Thursday when it was excluded from the Identity and Democracy (ID) group in the European Parliament. This exclusion stems from a series of scandals involving one of its key leaders, Maximilian Krah. This move follows an earlier decision by the National Rally (RN) to break its alliance with the AfD, intensifying the challenges facing the party ahead of the upcoming European elections.
A total of nine German elected officials, including Krah, were impacted by this exclusion. The Italian Lega, representing the main delegation of the far-right ID group, announced the decision, clarifying that the group no longer wants to be associated with the incidents involving Krah. Krah recently made controversial comments in an interview with the Italian daily La Repubblica, implying that an SS man is 'not automatically a criminal', which prompted widespread condemnation.
Jean-Paul Garraud, president of the French delegation, emphasized that all delegations were consulted before making the decision to exclude the AfD. This development adds to the growing scrutiny surrounding Krah, who is also under preliminary investigation for alleged financial ties with Russia and China. One of his assistants at the European Parliament, Jian Guo, was arrested on charges of spying for Beijing.
The AfD expressed its acknowledgment of the group's decision while maintaining a hopeful outlook for the future. The party intends to form a strong group in the European Parliament and aims to collaborate with neighboring parties. Nonetheless, internal tensions persist: Petr Bystron, an AfD leader, suspended his campaign activities, citing family reasons.
The ID group, chaired by Italian Marco Zanni (Lega), previously included 59 MEPs from eight countries. The exclusion of the AfD delegation significantly impacts the composition of this group. Polls indicate a potential rise in nationalist forces in the upcoming European Parliament elections, which could see nationalist right-wing parties securing up to 37% of the seats.
The future dynamics of the European Parliament are poised for change with discussions of potential mergers among nationalist groups. Marine Le Pen and Giorgia Meloni have hinted at a possible rapprochement between ID and the European Conservatives and Reformists (CRE), which would position them as the second-largest political group in Strasbourg. However, previous attempts at such unions have not succeeded.
- The recent turmoil within the AfD highlights the challenges faced by nationalist parties in navigating internal scandal and maintaining alliances. The exclusion of the party from the ID group underscores the delicate balance required to sustain political cohesion amid controversy.
- The broader implications of these developments extend beyond the AfD, as nationalist groups in the European Parliament reassess their strategies and alliances. The potential for mergers and the shifting power dynamics could redefine the landscape of European politics in the coming years.
