Höcke does not challenge AfD leadership during party conference.
Every time the AfD holds a party convention in Thuringia, the spotlight falls on Björn Höcke, the right-wing extremist from the region, wondering if he's gearing up for a leadership role. At 52 years old, Höcke suggests extending the tenure of the current duo of Weidel and Chrupalla before proposing a new party structure which involves just one leader.
MDR Thuringia reported on Höcke's decision not to run for the party leadership at the upcoming federal party convention in Essen. His officials confirmed the news. Höcke explained his rationale behind this move, citing the three state elections coming up in Thuringia, Saxony, and Brandenburg in the fall. According to him, Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, the current duo, are doing a great job and should extend their term.
Höcke believes that after a possible second term for Weidel and Chrupalla, it's time to discuss a single-leader structure for the AfD. Rumors have circulated for years before each board meeting about Höcke's intentions for a high-end position within the AfD. However, he's steadfastly denied all these rumors despite his strong influence within the party.
The AfD will choose a new board at its two-day meeting scheduled for June 29 and 30. Many organizations have already voiced their opposition to the party convention. There's also a dispute over the rental contract for the federal party convention in Essen. The Höcke-led AfD in Thuringia is branded as a right-wing extremist by Germany's Office for the Protection of the Constitution, and they've been under surveillance since 2021.
Determined to make a difference at the party convention, Höcke put forth his call for party structure reform, mentioning the need for a party secretary.
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Despite not challenging the AfD leadership during the party conference, Björn Höcke advocated for an extended term for Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla in the upcoming state elections in Thuringia, Saxony, and Brandenburg. The AfD's right-wing extremist branch in Thuringia, led by Höcke, has been under surveillance by Germany's Office for the Protection of the Constitution since 2021 due to concerns about right-wing populism and extremism within the party. After potential second terms for Weidel and Chrupalla, Höcke proposes a shift to a single-leader structure for the AfD.
