Germany’s far-right AfD party faced internal turmoil as it banned its leading candidate, Maximilian Krah, from EU election campaign events due to his alleged ties to Russia and China. This move came after Krah’s controversial remarks about the SS paramilitary force in Nazi Germany led to a split with its French allies, the National Rally party.
Krah voluntarily stepped down from the party’s federal steering committee to prevent further division within the AfD. Despite being a liability, he remains at the top of the party’s list for the upcoming elections, as rules prohibit any changes after March 18. The party’s popularity has declined from over 20% to 15%, following a series of scandals and controversies involving its candidates.
The AfD faces additional criticism as one of Krah’s aides was arrested on suspicion of spying for China, and allegations of accepting money to spread pro-Russian propaganda have surfaced. The party’s relationship with the National Rally further deteriorated over Krah’s remarks, leading to a decision to distance themselves from the AfD in the EU parliament.
The fallout from these scandals underscores the challenges faced by right-wing parties in Europe as they navigate internal strife and external pressures. The AfD’s reputation continues to be marred by controversy, threatening its position in the upcoming elections.