In a notable series of setbacks, the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party has faced significant challenges in several state parliaments in Germany. Most recently, on March 19, 2025, Brandenburg's AfD-Fraktionschef, Hans-Christoph Berndt, failed in his bid to become Vice Chair of the Hauptausschuss in the state parliament. This defeat marks the third unsuccessful candidacy for Berndt, who has been unable to secure the necessary majority support.
According to SPDs Fraktionschef Björn Lüttmann, a decision from the presidium is required for Berndt to run again; however, such a decision has not been reached. Lüttmann remarked, "Ein solcher Präsidiumsbeschluss liegt nicht vor," indicating that without this motion, Berndt's further candidacy cannot proceed. Despite being the largest opposition group in the state with 30 of the 88 seats, the AfD's internal strife reflects a struggle for influence and recognition in a political landscape marked by complexity and competition.
In a separate incident involving the Hamburg AfD, criticisms emerged regarding police actions taken against several officers accused of participating in racist chat groups. On March 4, 2025, searches were conducted at the homes and workspaces of six active officers and three retired ones, leading to a heated response from the Hamburg AfD. Fraktionschef Dirk Nockemann expressed concerns over the proportion of these searches, stating, "Bei so gravierenden Eingriffen wie Hausdurchsuchungen muss die Verhältnismäßigkeit gewahrt bleiben." His comments highlight an ongoing debate about law enforcement's approach to perceived extremism within their ranks.
These investigations were launched in the wake of alleged exchanges of xenophobic, racist, and violent content in separate WhatsApp groups among the officers. Following the searches, the public prosecutor's offices in Lübeck and Verden (Aller) found no criminal relevance in the chats of two officers, although one was fined for inappropriate social media comments. Nockemann's critical perspective emphasizes that while the officers are held to a standard of moderation, he perceives a broader trend toward criminalizing dissenting opinions in society. He stated, "Allerdings erleben wir derzeit einen in Teilen übergriffigen und unverhältnismäßig agierenden Linksstaat," reflecting his party's view of current socio-political dynamics.
Shifting focus to Saarland, the AfD faced yet another defeat on March 19, 2025, as their push for a bureaucracy reduction proposal was dismissed by the state parliament. This failure marks the fourth attempt in less than 13 months for the AfD-Fraktion in Saarland to advocate for legislative changes aimed at cutting red tape. Their proposed law suggested that any new legislation should only be approved if it coincides with the repeal of an existing law, a measure aimed at simplifying administrative procedures.
AfD-Fraktionsvorsitzender Josef Dörr expressed frustration over the repeated failures, claiming that in terms of bureaucratic reform, "nichts Entscheidendes" passiere. Meanwhile, SPD representative Frank Schmidt reminded the assembly that the state government is actively working to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy through digital initiatives. He emphasized that protections and standards are crucial, stating bureaucratic measures may be necessary to safeguard public interests.
As the political tension continues to rise within state assemblies, comments from CDU’s Stefan Thielen pointed out the need for comprehensive approaches to bureaucratic reform rather than the reactive policies proposed by the AfD. He articulated, "man brauche ganzheitliche Ansätze zum Bürokratieabbau, nicht den Aktionismus der AfD," contrasting the AfD's approaches with what he sees as necessity for thoughtful governance.
The ongoing struggle of the AfD in various state parliaments underscores a persistent tension as they navigate internal party setbacks and external opposition. They grapple with challenges not only in achieving political goals but also in addressing the implications of their public image amidst allegations of extremism and institutional scrutiny. As the party attempts to rally its base and assert its influence, the broader implications for German politics remain significant.
