Berlin, 22 May 2024
Germany’s controversial right-wing party Allianz für Deutschland (Alternative for Germany, AfD) runs into a deep election dilemma: Their lead candidate in the upcoming EU elections, Maximilian Krah, was urged to resign from the party’s board, after defending the Nazi SS in an interview. His party obliged him stand still during the EU election campaign, but did not remove him as EU lead candidate.
After crisis consultations during the day, the AfD federal executive board issued the following statement:
“In telephone consultations this morning, the federal executive board and the party’s lander chairmen had a constructive exchange with Dr. Krah. They conluded that there was massive damage done to the party in the current election campaign, for which the leading candidate provided the excuse. Maximilian Krah informed the committees that he would take full political responsibility and resign from his mandate on the Federal Executive Board with immediate effect. Furthermore, he said he would not want to take part in any further campaign events until election day. This consistent withdrawal from the public eye was welcomed by the majority.”
It is the first time in German history that a political party hides their top candidate für the European elections. In Germany, participation in European Parliament elections is governed by the provisions of the European Elections Act in conjunction with the Federal Elections Act and the European Electoral Regulations. The deadline for submitting the nominations is the 83rd day before the election (= 18 March 2024), 6.00 p.m. . The Federal Electoral Committee then decides on the admission on the 72nd day before the election (= 29 March 2024).
An election proposal can only be changed after the submission deadline by a joint written declaration by the person of trust and the deputy person of trust and only if an applicant or replacement candidate dies or loses eligibility. After the decision on the approval of an election proposal any changes are excluded. If an applicant dies or loses eligibility after the nomination has been approved but before the election, a replacement applicant will take his place, provided such a candidate has been named for him. The AfD either forgot to name a replacement candidate during the registration process – or does not want to execute this option.
Independently from the candidates’ question, the AfD appears to be isolated even among other right-wing parties in Europe. As reported earlier, the Rassemblement National (National Rally, RN) considers to break up with their current political ally in the EU Parliament Group Identity and Democracy (ID). According to several French media reports RN leaders stated: “We will no longer sit with them in the next term.”