The Baden-Württemberg AfD members are supposed to elect a functioning state board today. It’s about the power of the “wing” and Alice Weidel. For them, the office is not a dream.
By Martin Schmidt, ARD Capital Studio Berlin
On Thursday afternoon, there was suddenly excitement in the AfD chat groups, especially among the Baden-Württemberg members: Does the federal executive plan to overturn the state party conference shortly before the start because the majorities for the supposedly favored candidate for the state presidency, Alice Weidel, do not stand?
“Wouldn’t be surprised if the showdown was canceled at short notice,” said a leading party member ARD studio knowledge.
And then there is that too: In e-mails among the previous state board members, the joint decision to resign is suddenly questioned again. But it is needed to make new elections and the party congress possible in the first place.
Distrust and rumors
The reason for the chaos: nobody trusts anyone. Or to put it another way: In the AfD in Ländle, everyone believes in everything else. In addition, suspicion ensures that the federal board of Baden-Württemberg uses an emergency board until the elections on Sunday are through. Above all, the more radical AfDler suspect that Berlin could try to circumvent the elections entirely with such an emergency board.
The rumors spread quickly – in a party that relies on their communication via social media more than anyone else. It takes until Friday afternoon for the excitement to subside, and each member of the regional executive board to confirm his resignation individually. The party conference in Böblingen takes place. But it could become as turbulent as the skirmish beforehand.
Double tip or alone if necessary
AfD circles speak of an “endgame”. Once again one between the radical “wing” and those who describe themselves as moderate in the party. The regional association in Baden-Württemberg has been at odds between these camps for years, the board has been unable to act for months. This is one of the reasons why Alice Weidel wants to run for the post. She is already the chairwoman of the parliamentary group and deputy AfD federal spokeswoman. Either in a double leadership with the member of the Bundestag Martin Hess or, if necessary, alone.
It is probably more of a rescue operation than the dream of a top job in your home country. Even in the AfD, many cannot understand why they want to do this to themselves. Mainly because their drop height is high. She just shone with a good election result at the Federal Party Congress – she was the only one without opposing candidates. At the top of the parliamentary group, she is now uncontested alongside Alexander Gauland.
A lost election in Böblingen could suddenly negate her current reputation as a lead singer. But the starting point for Baden-Württemberg is highly problematic: If the regional association falls into the hands of radical right wingers, who are hardly influenced by wing leaders Björn Höcke and Andreas Kalbitz, their party future is again completely open. It will soon be about the list positions for the upcoming federal election. Without a good place, Weidel would be politically on the verge.
Dirk Spaniel relies on polarization
Many of their supporters describe such a radical right as the most promising counter-candidate for the state presidency: Dirk Spaniel.
The member of the Bundestag from Stuttgart was previously one of two heads of state – but mostly had the entire board against himself. He hopes to be re-elected, but then with his own team. He does not describe himself as radical. He would rather compare his political style with that of Donald Trump: maximum demand, maximum polarization. He cannot do anything with attempts by some party colleagues to get closer to the political opponents, the will to form coalitions as quickly as possible.
Spaniel could benefit that many consider it difficult if Weidel takes on a third leadership position in the AfD. Even Federal Spokesman Jörg Meuthen, who has made himself surprisingly rare when it comes to conflict resolution in his Baden-Wuerttemberg state association, described Weidel’s candidacy as “ambitious” in view of her other obligations.
And the donation affair?
There is also the donation affair from your district association. The public prosecutor’s office in Constance is investigating. There are fines of almost 400,000 euros. “How should she lead the regional association if she has not been able to cope with her own district association?” Says internal party opponents.
Dangerous proximity to Sayn-Wittgenstein
Spaniel also has problems in his party: For example, he has appeared too often with Doris von Sayn-Wittgenstein, who was excluded from the AfD because of right-wing extremist connections. Most recently at a demonstration against the broadcasting fee in front of the SWR in Baden-Baden.
An internal report states that such appearances and connections by Spaniels could lead to the AfD being classified as a suspected case by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. On Monday, immediately after the party congress, the federal executive board will advise on measures to be taken against him. So it could happen that the newly elected state chairman of Baden-Württemberg is given an official ban.
“Wing” hopes to walk through
“I did not join the AfD because I have a special need to be loved,” Spaniel said in an interview with the ARD studio, “I came in because I want to improve this country. Of course there is internal and external resistance, but I will deal with them.”
With a choice of Spaniels, the radical “wing” would get a boost. In any case, the more extreme part of the AfD has been feeling upstairs since the tactical election maneuver by Höcke and his parliamentary group in Thuringia caused political confusion.
So far, there has been no way around the “wing” in the eastern associations, but it has done so in the western associations, which have significantly more members. Some are now finally dreaming of walking through Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria in North Rhine-Westphalia, where a wing-free board was recently elected.
Many buses, many members
There is a lot at stake for party celebrity and for balance in the party. And so buses are rented diligently, it is said from the respective camp with a smile, to bring members from all over the state to Böblingen.
A so-called member party conference begins there today: Every AfDler from Baden-Württemberg is allowed to come. Everyone has the right to vote. Mobilization is therefore everything. The majority in the Southwest cannot even trust majorities that are believed to be safe.
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