Berlin – Internal disputes and accusations of misconduct are mounting within the Alternative for Germany (AfD), potentially threatening the party’s prospects in a key election year with five state parliamentary elections. AfD leaders Tino Chrupalla (50) and Alice Weidel (47) are facing challenges in controlling escalating issues within regional branches.
The latest development involves a letter from Anja Arndt, a Member of the European Parliament for the AfD, detailing allegations of improper apply of funds. Arndt accuses the party of illegally using staff resources allocated to the parliamentary faction for party work, a practice prohibited by the German Federal Constitutional Court.
According to the letter, Ansgar Schledde (48), head of the AfD in Lower Saxony, allegedly requested that the 13 Lower Saxon members of the Bundestag allocate 35 percent of their staff budgets to party activities. The accusation is that AfD members were hired to perform party work rather than constituency-based tasks.
Arndt claims a “presumed misappropriation of up to 1.455.000 Euro per year.” She alleges that Schledde offered support for placement on party lists in exchange for control over a portion of staff budgets. She further accuses the Lower Saxon members of the Bundestag of the “criminal offense of misappropriation.”
AfD politician Dirk Fischer (61) provided a sworn statement corroborating the allegations, stating that Schledde made similar demands of him before a European Parliament election. Schledde has denied the accusations.
The individuals named and the state leadership of the AfD in Lower Saxony rejected the allegations. The members of the Bundestag stated they were unaware of any agreements requiring them to adhere to guidelines beyond the regulations of the German Parliament.
Previously, Schledde was accused by a former AfD member of requesting money from candidates for placement on party lists in 2022. A subsequent raid took place at the state party headquarters, and investigations are ongoing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the specific accusations against Ansgar Schledde?
Ansgar Schledde is accused of requesting that Lower Saxon members of the Bundestag allocate 35 percent of their staff budgets to party activities and of controlling the hiring process within those offices.
What is the significance of the German Federal Constitutional Court’s ruling regarding parliamentary staff?
The German Federal Constitutional Court has ruled that funds allocated to parliamentary factions, which reach from taxpayer money, cannot be used for party work.
What is the current status of the investigations into the AfD in Lower Saxony?
Investigations are ongoing following a previous accusation that Schledde requested money from candidates for placement on party lists, and a raid took place at the state party headquarters.
Given these internal conflicts and ongoing investigations, what impact might this have on the AfD’s performance in the upcoming state elections?
