Internal turmoil continues to grip the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Saxony-Anhalt, with the state leadership initiating expulsion proceedings against two prominent members. A statement released on Monday detailed the moves, signaling a deepening rift within the party and raising questions about internal control and ideological adherence.
The most significant action targets Jan Wenzel Schmidt, a Bundestag representative and former general secretary of the AfD. Schmidt faces expulsion based on alleged violations of the party’s internal rules and procedures. While the specifics of these accusations remain undisclosed, their severity is underscored by the initiation of a formal expulsion process, a measure rarely employed within the AfD. This action follows a period of increasing scrutiny directed at Schmidt, whose past pronouncements and perceived alignment with more radical factions within the party have drawn criticism.
Further exacerbating the internal tensions, the Landesvorstand has also sought the expulsion of Matthias Lieschke. The accusation leveled against Lieschke centers around his proximity to a controversial audio recording of an internal video conference, reportedly containing legally sensitive information. The details surrounding how Lieschke was situated in relation to the recording and the nature of the content itself, have not been publicly released, but the mere implication raises serious questions about potential breaches of confidentiality and unauthorized access to sensitive materials.
The decisions by the Landesvorstand were reportedly prompted by a unanimous resolution passed by a regional caucus meeting held on December 1st. This suggests a considerable degree of consensus within various AfD factions to address what are perceived as significant breaches of party discipline.
The proceedings will now be reviewed by the state’s party arbitration board, which will determine the final outcome. Until the arbitration process is concluded, the AfD has declared its intention to refrain from further public commentary on the matter, a move likely intended to avoid further inflaming the situation. However, the swift and decisive actions undertaken by the Landesvorstand spotlight a potentially destabilizing power struggle within the party and raise concerns over the level of ideological and strategic alignment amongst its leadership. Observers suggest these internal conflicts could impact the AfD’s broader political positioning and electoral strategies in the coming year.