This would break up the BSW: internal dispute over possible AfD majority

The German far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has taken decisive action against a prominent businessman who has long been accused of exerting influence within the party. According to reports from ARD's Tagesschau, the AfD federal board has banned further cooperation between the party and Tom Rohrböck, a businessman known for his extensive network and alleged financial support to members of the AfD, as well as other political parties such as the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP). Although Rohrböck is not an official member of the AfD and has never held a formal position within the party, he is widely regarded as having significant informal influence due to his connections and knowledge of internal party affairs.

The decision by the AfD federal board came in response to a letter sent by Stephan Protschka, the leader of the Bavarian branch of the AfD, to the party’s federal leadership. In this letter, Protschka accused Rohrböck of attempting to exert pressure on certain members of the AfD ahead of the upcoming state parliamentary elections in Bavaria. He described the situation as creating a climate of uncertainty among party members, warning that those who did not comply with Rohrböck’s demands could face public scrutiny or have their personal stories spread. The letter called upon the federal leadership to prohibit meetings and decisions involving Rohrböck, particularly regarding matters related to the selection of candidates and policy discussions.

Rohrböck responded to these allegations with calmness, dismissing them as exaggerated. He stated that he had never attended an AfD event and therefore felt the ban imposed by the federal board would have minimal impact on him personally. However, the accusations against him are not new. Earlier reports from WDR, NDR, and DIE ZEIT in 2021 already highlighted concerns about Rohrböck’s influence within the AfD, suggesting that he had built a wide network of contacts that included around 40 members of parliament. At the time, Rohrböck denied being a “right-wing phantom” and argued that knowing right-wing politicians and engaging in dialogue with them did not necessarily mean he himself was aligned with right-wing ideologies.

The current controversy reflects broader tensions within the AfD, which has been experiencing internal power struggles over the past several months. While the party leadership claims to want to change the political culture and position itself as a pioneer, many members have expressed concerns about authoritarian leadership structures and have chosen to leave the party. These internal conflicts come at a critical time, as the AfD prepares for upcoming state elections where its future direction and alliances may become clearer.

Meanwhile, the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), another far-right party founded by Sahra Wagenknecht, is also playing a crucial role in the political landscape. According to CORRECTIV, the BSW could potentially serve as a coalition partner for the AfD in upcoming state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Despite the BSW leadership’s initial rejection of forming a coalition with the AfD, some regional leaders suggest that the party might be open to supporting an AfD-led government under specific conditions. This possibility raises questions about how the BSW might influence the political dynamics in these regions, especially given the BSW’s recent calls for a non-partisan prime minister who can form a cabinet based on competence rather than party loyalty.

The potential alliance between the AfD and the BSW is further complicated by external factors, including Russia’s growing influence in German politics. Reports from the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung indicate that members of both the BSW and the AfD have met with Russian officials and advisors, raising concerns about foreign interference in domestic politics. For instance, four AfD MPs met with Kirill Dmitrijew, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, in Saint Petersburg. Additionally, Sahra Wagenknecht herself has made statements that align with pro-Russian narratives, such as comparing Ukraine to Nazi collaborators in a video. These interactions highlight the complex relationship between German far-right parties and Russian interests, which could have significant implications for Germany’s political stability and international relations.

The documentary series "Brombeerland," produced by Yvonne and Wolfgang Andrä, offers an in-depth look into the political developments in Thuringia since the formation of the first-ever coalition government consisting of the CDU, SPD, and BSW. The film explores the challenges faced by this unusual coalition and provides insight into the broader political landscape in Germany. As the series becomes available online, it promises to shed light on the evolving dynamics of German politics, particularly in the context of rising far-right influence and the potential for new alliances and conflicts.