AfD Hesse meets for state party conference - AfD sharpens its strategy ahead of Hesse’s October 2023 state election
The AfD in Hesse is preparing for the upcoming state election in October 2023. The party held its state conference in Neuhof, eastern Hesse, with nearly 400 delegates in attendance. Meanwhile, the CDU, led by state chairman yet to be named, is gearing up to challenge the AfD's growing influence.
The AfD's state conference in Neuhof focused on electing a new executive board. In the 2018 state election, the AfD secured 18.4% of the vote, becoming the second-strongest party. Andreas Lichert, one of the current state spokespeople seeking re-election, criticized the CDU in his speech, stating it is 'neither fit for coalition nor deserving of one' with the AfD.
The conference was accompanied by a heavy police presence, with no election results reported. Robert Lambrou, the other state spokesperson seeking re-election, expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of counter-protests. Friedrich Merz, the CDU Chancellor, was mentioned in Lichert's speech, indicating the CDU's intent to challenge the AfD's growing influence in the state.
The AfD's state conference in Neuhof signals the party's preparation for the October 2023 state election. The CDU, with its state chairman yet to be named, is positioning itself as the main challenger to the AfD's growing influence in the state. The upcoming election promises to be a close contest between the two parties.
