Internal divisions within the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party have escalated, with the parliamentary group leadership initiating disciplinary proceedings against MP Rüdiger Lucassen for publicly criticizing party figure Björn Höcke. According to reports in “Welt” the AfD’s executive board, composed of Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, formally approved the commencement of the procedure during a meeting held on Monday.
The controversy stems from a speech delivered by Lucassen in the Bundestag earlier this month, where he addressed the contentious subject of mandatory military service. He referenced a recent speech by Höcke, the leader of the Thuringian state chapter, who controversially suggested that Germany was no longer “worth fighting for”. Lucassen’s remarks, questioning the sentiments expressed by Höcke and invoking the historical context of German liberation wars, ignited a significant internal clash.
Under the AfD parliamentary group’s rules of order, disciplinary measures, ranging from warnings to expulsion, can be imposed on members who demonstrably harm the party. The board contends that Lucassen’s public critique of Höcke – a prominent figure within the party and a frequent sparring partner for other factions – constituted such harm. Critically, the accusations don’t primarily revolve around the content of Lucassen’s position, but rather the method of its public delivery. The board alleges that he deliberately amplified an ongoing, sensitive intra-party debate in a plenary session, generating negative press coverage and destabilizing the party’s image.
A written communication from the executive board, seen by “Welt” explicitly points to this public confrontation as the cause for concern. The document suggests that Lucassen knowingly provoked a reaction and undermined the party’s internal cohesion.
Lucassen has been granted until Friday to submit his defense. A formal decision regarding disciplinary action, including the potential imposition of fines, speaking prohibitions, suspension from official duties, or even expulsion from the parliamentary group, is expected early in the new year. The incident highlights the deep-seated ideological fractures within the AfD and throws into question the party’s ability to maintain a unified front in the face of internal dissent. Political analysts suggest the move against Lucassen is less about the content of his critique and more about controlling the narrative and suppressing public displays of internal conflict, a strategy which may ultimately prove damaging to the party’s long-term stability.