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AfD NRW: Marl Congress Descends into Chaos as Regional Leader Defies Federal Office
On July 17, 2026, the AfD's candidate nomination assembly for the North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) regional parliament elections descended into chaos at Marl's Eventzentrum. The party's federal board ordered the congress to halt, but regional leader Martin Vincentz defied the directive and continued proceedings. Deputy Sven Tritschler and his supporters walked out in protest. The session was marked by allegations of manipulation, parliamentary obstruction tactics, and backroom negotiations. NRW is the AfD's most powerful regional federation, and this rift between Vincentz and Tritschler threatens federal chairperson Alice Weidel's position.