The AfD Federal Party Congress in Erfurt is approaching, bringing with it a reorganization of the leadership. Although Björn Höcke is not running, his influence is increasing due to the candidacy of his confidant Stephan Möller, who is replacing Stephan Brandner, who has lost the trust of the Thuringian faction. Pauline von Pezold and Frederik Schindler discuss how Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla aim to continue as a duo and also look at other candidates for the federal executive board, such as Beatrix von Storch.
In parallel, the European stage is in focus: the AfD is a leading player in the “Europe of Sovereign Nations” (ESN) faction, currently facing the potential revocation of its party status. This could have extensive financial and political consequences. The two also examine the recent Russia trip of four AfD Bundestag members, where they met high-ranking officials and businesspeople from the Kremlin. The party is portraying these contacts as a success, even receiving public praise from Vladimir Putin.
“Inside AfD” is the POLITICO podcast about the country’s most controversial party. Despite radicalization and surveillance by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the AfD continues to grow. How is this possible? What drives its supporters, strategists, and opponents? How does the party’s internal dynamics function? And what does its rise mean for Germany’s political system?
Answers are provided every Wednesday by Pauline von Pezold of POLITICO and Frederik Schindler of WELT—calm yet critical.
Questions and feedback can be sent to [email protected] POLITICO Germany – a service of Axel Springer Deutschland GmbH Axel-Springer-Straße 65, 10888 Berlin Tel: +49 (30) 2591 0 [email protected] Registered office: Amtsgericht Berlin-Charlottenburg, HRB 196159 B VAT ID: DE 214 852 390 Managing Directors: Carolin Hulshoff Pol, Mathias Sanchez Luna
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