Internal divisions are intensifying within the Alternative for Germany (AfD) state chapter of Saxony-Anhalt, just ten months ahead of the crucial state election. According to a report in “Der Stern”, a power struggle is escalating, threatening to paralyze the party’s operational capacity and potentially impacting its electoral prospects.
Three district associations have formally requested a special state party conference scheduled for late November, with the stated aim of removing a significant portion of the current state executive committee. Only the two co-chairmen, John Lucas Dittrich and Thomas Schulze, would remain in their positions.
The request, as detailed in the “Stern” report, cites “increasing obstructionism” from a faction within the state executive, hindering constructive collaboration and delaying or outright preventing the implementation of party resolutions. This, the request argues, has effectively rendered the state executive “incapable of action.
Facing potential removal are several key figures within the party: Managing Director Katja Wendland, Treasurer Matthias Lieschke, Deputy Chairwoman Sylvia Winkelmann-Witkowsky and board members Bianca Görke and Florian Thomas.
Simultaneously, an explanatory declaration circulating within the local party, reportedly penned by the five individuals facing removal, alleges serious misconduct on the part of the two chairmen. The document accuses Dittrich and Schulze of establishing “a climate of uncertainty and mistrust”. The authors claim the chairmen lack both the experience and the willingness to consult with their colleagues, resorting instead to “intimidation and exclusion.
The declaration details a series of further accusations, including alleged “manipulation of delegate numbers” during the state party conference in June and Schulze’s perceived premature and self-serving media positioning as a potential lead candidate for the state election.
The unfolding internal conflict casts a shadow over the AfD’s prospects in Saxony-Anhalt. The accusations and counter-accusations point to a deeply fractured party leadership, raising questions about its ability to present a unified front and execute a coherent campaign strategy in the lead-up to the pivotal election. This power struggle will undoubtedly be scrutinized closely by observers, as it reveals significant tensions within a party already facing considerable political challenges.