Rüdiger Lucassen has apparently resigned from his role as the AfD parliamentary parliamentary group’s spokesperson for defense policy. Several media outlets reported on Monday that this followed a letter from Lucassen addressed to the faction chairs, Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla. Prior to this, parts of the group reportedly began preparations to have him voted out. According to reports, a vote regarding Lucassen’s replacement was scheduled for the following Tuesday in the responsible working group. Sources indicated that the motion calling for his departure cited reasons such as “loss of confidence” “going rogue” and a “leadership deficit”. Lucassen’s resignation appears to have preempted this planned decision. In his letter, Lucassen cited the upcoming state elections as the reason for his departure, stating that he does not want to diminish the party’s chances of success due to internal personnel debates. He specifically mentioned that the internal discussion concerning his position had recently devolved into a “friend-enemy spiral” quoting this sentiment.
The resignation is interpreted as the culmination of a months-long struggle for power within the parliamentary group. Earlier in 2025, the faction leadership had already initiated disciplinary proceedings against Lucassen after he publicly criticized the stance of the Thuringia AfD state boss, Björn Höcke, regarding compulsory military service during a Bundestag speech. At its core, the dispute concerned the party’s direction in defense policy. Lucassen was associated with the West German-influenced wing, which advocates for compulsory military service, rearmament, and a strongly state-centric course. Opposing this were primarily representatives from the East German state chapters, who aimed to position the AfD more as a party of peace. Underlying the dispute was also concern that a clear pro-conscription stance could harm the party in the upcoming 2026 state elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Saxony-Anhalt. Despite stepping down from his spokesperson position, Lucassen reportedly remains a member of the AfD parliamentary parliamentary group.
