Matthias Moosdorf, an AfD member of the Bundestag from Saxony, has denied a media report claiming that he intends to run against incumbent co-chair Alice Weidel in this weekend’s party leadership election in Erfurt. When asked by dpa whether he intended to run against Weidel, the AfD politician replied, “No.” Previously, “Bild” had reported that Moosdorf was planning a surprise run against the long-time party leader.
Tension within the parliamentary group
The leadership of the AfD parliamentary group in the Bundestag had imposed disciplinary measures against Moosdorf in May. The former foreign policy spokesperson for the parliamentary group is required to pay a 5,000-euro fine, is barred from speaking in the Bundestag for six weeks, and is prohibited from attending parliamentary group events for three months.
The decision stems from disagreements over the party’s political course and mutual personal attacks. In a letter to his parliamentary group colleagues that was made public, Moosdorf had harshly attacked the current foreign policy spokesperson, deputy parliamentary group leader, and chair of the group’s foreign policy working group, Markus Frohnmaier, and indirectly called for his removal.
