The dispute began on November 7 when Chrupalla posted a video on X criticizing the deportation practices of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
He indirectly linked those operations to the Republican setbacks in the American midterm elections.
That stance immediately triggered open opposition from within his own ranks. Bundestag deputies Maximilian Krah and Matthias Moosdorf supported Chrupalla’s arguments, but other senior figures rejected the critique outright during parliamentary meetings.
Co-leader Alice Weidel publicly distanced herself from Chrupalla during a press conference while standing beside him. “Certainly not because of too strict an immigration policy did they lose their voters,” Weidel said, arguing that U.S. President Donald Trump was actually criticized by many for failing to act forcefully enough against illegal migration.
Weidel followed up on November 11 with an X post thanking former Minnesota ICE operations chief Gregory Bovino for his support. She attached the label “remigration,” a term openly promoted by the party, to her response.
Die Bürger wollen Frieden und Wohlstand, in Europa wie in den USA. Kriege zu beginnen oder fortzuführen, macht eine Regierung unbeliebt. Teuerung und sozialer Kahlschlag treffen die gesamte Bevölkerung. In einer aktuellen Stunde hat unsere Bundestagsfraktion die Proteste und… pic.twitter.com/RLdbQd5dtO
The rift deepened during a Tuesday faction meeting where multiple lawmakers confronted Chrupalla. Federal executive board member Maximilian Kneller suggested that critics of ICE should spend a week of professional training at the agency to understand the operational difficulties faced by its officers.
Krah received an even sharper rebuke from deputy faction leader Sebastian Münzenmaier. “Max, you have no idea about it, do not comment on this. And if you speak up, then represent the party’s position,” Münzenmaier told him, according to reporting cited by Spiegel.
Münzenmaier reportedly added that Krah should focus on his work in the European Affairs Committee instead of attention-seeking nonsense. The Tagesspiegel describes Münzenmaier as an organizer within Weidel’s internal party network.
Estimates suggest that this factional network commands roughly two-thirds of the party base, while Chrupalla’s supporters account for the remaining third. When the two co-leaders were re-elected in July, Weidel secured 81 percent of the vote compared to Chrupalla’s 70 percent.
Hardline Deportation Proposals and Ukrainian Refugees
Parallel to the leadership friction, the AfD’s committee on immigration, asylum, and citizenship adopted stricter proposals. A draft reviewed by The Pioneer outlines plans to abolish temporary deportation suspensions for foreigners ordered to leave the country wherever legally possible.
The text explicitly mentions Ukrainian refugees, stating they would be sent back after their protective status expires, particularly following the conclusion of the war in Ukraine. The proposals also advocate for collective deportations without individual legal grounds and aim to prevent legal appeals from automatically halting removal proceedings.
| Proposal Focus | Stated Measure | Target Group |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension of Deportations | Complete abolition where legally possible | All foreign nationals under departure orders |
| Protection Status | Repatriation after protective status ends | Ukrainian refugees post-conflict |
| Legal Recourse | Prevention of automatic deportation delays | Individuals appealing removal orders |
| Sanctions on States | Aid cuts, visa limits, and banking restrictions | Countries refusing readmission |
The committee calls for third-country return centers and lifetime entry bans for terrorists and security risks. For nations that refuse to take back their citizens, the plans demand development aid cuts, visa restrictions, banking transaction limits, and commercial sanctions.
These policy measures do not yet constitute an official party program. The Saxony state branch of the AfD indicates that a revised baseline program will be decided at a national party congress in the autumn of 2027.
Weidel's Authority Grows, Chrupalla's Weakens
The Tagesspiegel’s evaluation of the fallout indicates that Weidel emerged from the dispute with strengthened authority, while Chrupalla’s standing weakened. The public disagreement highlights shifting internal power dynamics rather than an immediate challenge to the dual-leadership system itself.
Weidel continues to assert her distinct policy stance while proponents of strict migration controls decisively shape both parliamentary direction and forthcoming party platforms.
