The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has faced significant setbacks in its attempts to secure influential positions within German political structures. Most notably, the party has repeatedly failed to have one of its members elected as a Vice President of the Bundestag. This has led to accusations of discrimination from party leaders, including Alice Weidel, who claims that the exclusion opens doors to bias against the AfD in parliamentary proceedings.
Despite the AfD's increased seat count in the Bundestag following the 2021 election, the party's candidates have been unsuccessful in securing vice-presidential roles. This pattern of exclusion is seen by the AfD as undemocratic, with co-leader Tino Chrupalla criticizing what he describes as a 'brand wall' built by other parties to sideline them.
In addition to struggles in the Bundestag, the party has also faced challenges at the state level. In Saxony, AfD politician Alexander Wiesner was removed as chairman of a parliamentary committee due to alleged ties to right-wing extremist circles. This decision, supported by multiple parties, was met with strong opposition from the AfD, which deems it illegitimate.
Moreover, internal discord is evident in Thuringia, where coalition partners show divided opinions on how to engage with the AfD. While some advocate for dialogue, others staunchly refuse collaboration, citing the AfD's classification as a right-wing extremist entity by the domestic intelligence service.
These developments highlight ongoing tensions surrounding the AfD's involvement in German politics, as the party continues to navigate both internal and external challenges.
