Dispute in AfD over NRW candidate list escalates

17.07.2026 11:00 HotInfo 14

An internal dispute within Germany's AfD over the compilation of the candidate list in North Rhine-Westphalia for next year's state elections has escalated. Party co-chairs Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla called on the state leadership to end the current meeting and repeat the candidate selection vote. Spiegel.de ↗

However, AfD's state chairman in North Rhine-Westphalia, Martin Vincentz, wants to continue with the list-building process. He rejected the federal leadership's call to halt the process and also responded to the objections raised after the chaotic course of the meeting in Marl. According to available information, the dispute concerns not only the technical procedure for nominations but also an internal power struggle between the state organization and the party leadership at the federal level. Tagesspiegel ↗

The tension is also accompanied by accusations of sabotage and disputes over the course of the proceedings. In the background, a strategy referred to as "Operation Filibuster" is mentioned, which is said to be linked to lengthy speeches and delaying the proceedings. Vincentz also denies claims that there are grounds for his removal from office. Welt ↗

Further developments will depend on whether the state organization completes the compilation of the candidate list despite pressure from the federal leadership, or whether the process starts anew. The dispute reveals growing tensions within the party ahead of elections in Germany's most populous federal state. Die Zeit ↗