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World
AfD Federal Board Opens Disciplinary Case Against NRW Leader Vincentz
Herz — World Desk · · 30s summary · 3 min read
The essentials
The AfD's federal executive board has opened disciplinary proceedings against Martin Vincentz, head of the party's North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) regional federation, and other members of his regional office. The party accuses him of having sought an injunction from an ordinary Düsseldorf court rather than using the AfD's internal arbitration body. The conflict erupts in the wake of a contentious party congress in Marl, where Vincentz's moderate faction decisively won the vote on the party list for 2027 state elections. The NRW regional office has until August 5 to respond to charges from the federal directorate.
- Disciplinary proceedings opened against AfD NRW leader Martin Vincentz
- Vincentz accused of seeking civil court injunction instead of party arbitration
- Vincentz's moderate faction won contentious Marl congress despite federal opposition
- NRW office must respond to federal charges by August 5, 2026
- AfD NRW at 17% in polls, behind CDU (32%), tied with SPD
What we know
The AfD's federal executive board has opened disciplinary proceedings against Martin Vincentz, head of the party's North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) regional federation, and other members of the regional office. A spokesperson for the AfD in Berlin confirmed this to Handelsblatt.
The federal directorate accuses Vincentz of having sought a provisional injunction from a Düsseldorf court against the federal leadership, rather than using the AfD's internal arbitration body. He is also accused of failing to withdraw this request, despite having committed to doing so after the settlement of the dispute over the party list for the 2027 state elections.
The Düsseldorf court had already rejected the provisional injunction request the previous week, ruling that the urgent circumstances required had ceased to exist. The NRW regional office has until August 5, 2026 to present its position in response to Berlin's charges.
Origins of the conflict
The crisis originates from a party congress held in Marl approximately one and a half weeks before July 27, 2026. At stake was the composition of the party list for the state elections in 2027.
Vincentz's moderate faction clashed with the far-right faction led by Bundestag deputy Matthias Helferich in an atmosphere marked by tumult and insults. Vincentz emerged with a decisive victory.
The federal leadership—led by Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla—had vainly demanded the cancellation of the congress before it took place.
Martin Vincentz, a 40-year-old physician, has led the NRW regional federation of the AfD since 2022. He advocates a moderate course for the party in this state.
Berlin's additional measures
Alongside the disciplinary proceedings, the federal executive board has established an investigative commission tasked with examining the functioning of the NRW regional federation more closely.
AfD NRW's response
with the utmost composure
— Spokesperson for AfD NRW, according to Handelsblatt
A spokesperson for the AfD NRW stated that the party faces the disciplinary proceedings "with the utmost composure" and looks forward to being able to refute the arguments presented by the federal directorate.
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