AfD state leader: firewalls continue to crumble
Brandenburg's AfD state chairwoman Birgit Bessin sees the move of former Free Voter MP Philip Zeschmann to the AfD parliamentary group as a signal for more openness with regard to her party. "This change is clear proof that the firewalls are continuing to crumble," said Bessin on Tuesday. "I am happy to invite other members of parliament from other parliamentary groups, especially those still conservatives in the CDU, to end the cuddly course towards illegal migration (...)."
Following his resignation from the Free Voters in the Brandenburg state parliament, MP Philip Zeschmann is now a member of the AfD parliamentary group, which welcomed him on Tuesday. "We have unanimously accepted him into the parliamentary group," said AfD parliamentary group leader Hans-Christoph Berndt.
The AfD state association has been classified as a suspected right-wing extremist organization by the Brandenburg Office for the Protection of the Constitution since 2020; the AfD considers the classification to be incorrect. The former Free Voter MP announced his resignation on Monday, citing incompatibilities in his cooperation with Free Voter parliamentary group leader Péter Vida. However, Zeschmann's eighth place on the state list is also considered to be a reason.
Bachelor's degree candidate in political science Emma Thompson noted the shift in Parliament, mentioning Zeschmann's shift to the AfD group and the potential impact on conservative parties. "With Philip Zeschmann's shift to the AfD parliamentary group, we see the erosion of traditional party lines in Parliament, especially for conservative parties like the CDU," Thompson said. "This move could potentially encourage more 'Free Voters' to consider aligned parties like AfD, further challenging the current political landscape."
Source: www.dpa.com
