AfD power struggle in North Rhine-Westphalia over 2027 candidate list

The federal executive of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has established an investigation commission to audit the finances and membership admissions of the party’s North Rhine‑Westphalia (NRW) state association. The move follows a heated internal dispute over the selection of candidates for the 2027 state election. Landeschef Martin Vincentz, who leads a moderate faction, rejected the federal leadership’s demand—made by Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla—to abort the current list and restart the process. The conflict pits Vincentz’s camp against a right‑wing grouping around Bundestag member Matthias Helferich.

The federal board announced that the commission will be equipped with auditors to examine the NRW association’s accounts and the procedures for admitting new members. Vincentz later expressed regret over the escalation, withdrew an injunction against the federal board, and called for de‑escalation. The party’s federal leadership has briefed all members on the decisions, warning that the public feud could damage AfD’s election campaign in the state.