The Lower Franconian AfD member of the state parliament, Daniel Halemba, draws conclusions from this sharp criticism from the party’s federal executive committee. “In order to prevent damage to the AfD, I am giving up all party offices with immediate effect and will also forego exercising my membership rights in the AfD until further notice,” says a written statement that the 22-year-old sent to the BR on Thursday evening.
He announced that he would face all allegations as part of a party procedure and help clarify the matter. “I am confident that all open questions will soon be clarified.”
Federal executive board calls for party exclusion
Halemba is chairman of the AfD district association in Würzburg and sits on the board of the Lower Franconia district association. He entered the state parliament in the state elections in October and is currently the youngest Bavarian member of parliament.
On Monday evening, the AfD federal executive board called on the Bavarian party leadership to expel Halemba from the party and to withdraw all membership rights from him with immediate effect – because of “violations[n] against the “order” of the party. Specifically, it is about the accusation that Halemba was involved in Members not to be accepted into the AfD in accordance with the statutesso that they vote for him at a meeting for the state elections. Party leader Alice Weidel emphasized on Tuesday in Berlin: “For us in the federal executive board it was unanimous and completely clear yesterday that Mr. Halemba cannot remain a member of the AfD.” Halemba himself has not yet commented publicly on the allegations.
State board postpones decision
The Bavarian AfD state executive board postponed a decision on the matter at its regular meeting on Thursday evening. According to BR information, the committee unanimously decided to hire a lawyer to examine and, if necessary, prepare a party exclusion procedure. Halemba had previously informed the board of his decision.
Halemba wants to continue to exercise his mandate in the state parliament
Halemba wants to continue to exercise his state parliament mandate in the AfD parliamentary group. This meant that the balance of power in the Bavarian state parliament remained unchanged. This would be different if the party were excluded: According to the current statutes of the AfD parliamentary group, only party members can be part of the parliamentary group. If Halemba just suspends his membership rights, he will formally remain a member of the party and can therefore also belong to the AfD parliamentary group.
If Halemba leaves the AfD or is excluded, he could also remain in the state parliament as a non-attached member. That would then have an impact on the balance of power in the Maximilianeum: In such a case, the Greens would replace the AfD as the strongest opposition faction. Both factions currently have the same number of representatives – because of the slightly better election results, the AfD is currently considered the strongest opposition force and is entitled to special rights, for example the right of first reply to government declarations.
CSU demands: resign mandate immediately
CSU parliamentary group leader Klaus Holetschek criticized the AfD MP. “If he gives up his party positions, he has forgotten something crucial: his state parliament mandate. Given the seriousness of the allegations, he must resign from that immediately,” wrote Holetschek in the short message service “Don’t be silent any longer,” Holetschek continued.