At the AfD party congress in Arnstadt, Thuringia's AfD leader Björn Höcke declared his party is close to an absolute majority. He plans to gain missing votes mainly from wind power opponents. Höcke sharply criticized the current government coalition and demanded the dismissal of the interior minister.
Thuringia's AfD chairman Björn Höcke expressed confidence about his party's prospects at the state party congress in Arnstadt. He sees the AfD close to an absolute majority and stated that the missing votes would mainly come from wind power opponents. Höcke cited recent polls: A September Insa survey showed 37 percent for the AfD, well ahead of the CDU with 25 percent. In last year's state election, the AfD had already secured 32.8 percent and become the strongest faction.
Höcke described the current governing Bromberry coalition of CDU, SPD, and BSW as the 'last line of defense of the establishment against the AfD.' He assured: 'We will govern after the Bromberry,' regardless of when it collapses. He also reiterated his demand for the dismissal of Thuringia's Interior Minister Georg Maier (SPD). Maier had expressed suspicion in an interview that the AfD might abuse its parliamentary questioning rights in Russia's interest. Höcke has filed a criminal complaint against Maier for false suspicion, defamation, and coercion of constitutional bodies. The AfD in Thuringia is classified as confirmed right-wing extremist by the state constitutional protection agency and has been under observation for years.
At the party congress, state parliament members Elisabeth Mengel-Stähle and Yvonne Rottstedt, along with AfD member Johannes Hochberger, were elected to the state arbitration court. This body decides on disciplinary measures and party expulsions. According to statements at the congress, around a dozen proceedings were conducted before the court last year.