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The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Herforfd in the west of the country has removed Alexander Eichwald from its faction in the local council following a firebrand speech he held at the weekend, a party representative told dpa.<\/p>\n
Bielefeld AfD MP Maximilian Kneller told dpa on Monday that Eichwald has been removed. A spokeswoman for the city of Herford confirmed the information.<\/p>\n
At an AfD congress to establish a new youth organization on Sunday, Eichwald took to the podium in Giessen with a speech reminiscent of Nazi Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old addressed the participants as “party comrades” and called out to the hall, “We share our love and loyalty to Germany here together.”<\/p>\n
He said, “it is and remains our national duty to protect German culture from foreign influences,” in a statement that met sharp criticism from the hall.<\/p>\n
According to Kneller, preparations are also under way in the AfD district association for party expulsion proceedings against Eichwald.<\/p>\n
He had only been in the AfD for a few weeks. Hardly anyone knew him, Kneller said.<\/p>\n
Eichwald had behaved inconspicuously until now. This suggests that his appearance in Giessen was a deliberate act, whether on his own initiative or on behalf of third parties is speculation, Kneller added.<\/p>\n
The AfD was immediately unanimous and is taking all necessary steps “to get rid of him wherever possible,” Kneller asserted.<\/p>\n
AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla told German broadcaster ntv that he didn’t think Eichwald would remain a member of the party for long, referring to his comments as “very poor satire.”<\/p>\n
“Let’s see what else comes out,” Chrupalla added. “We don’t yet know everything that might happen. In any case, he will not remain a member of the party. That much is certain.”<\/p>\n
Expulsion from the party would have to be enforced by an AfD arbitration panel.<\/p>\n
The information about Eichwald was updated on the city council’s website on Monday.<\/p>\n
Since the newly elected city parliament was constituted a few weeks ago, he had been listed there as a member of the AfD faction.<\/p>\n
Until the committee reshuffle takes effect through a council decision in mid-December, he will be listed as an independent, a spokeswoman for the city of Herford said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n