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AfD boss Tino Chrupalla
Photo: Kay Nietfeld / dpa
AfD boss Tino Chrupalla has rejected allegations that Russia is too close.
“I don't understand Putin, I don't understand Washington or Brussels either.
I see myself as a politician who represents German interests at home and abroad," Chrupalla told the dpa news agency.
At the same time, the AfD boss spoke of "legitimate security interests of Russia" that had not been heard in recent years.
The war in Ukraine has »many fathers«.
The 46-year-old is criticized within the party.
Opponents accuse him of taking a course too close to Russia and deny him his suitability as party leader (read more here).
Since Jörg Meuthen left the party, the master painter has led the AfD alone
A few days after the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine, Chrupalla said in the Bundestag: "But it must not be our goal these days to identify the one culprit."
With a view to German reunification in 1990, he called on people not to forget “Russia's contribution to Germany and Europe, especially these days”.
With this speech, Chrupalla drew a lot of criticism.
Chrupalla confirmed that he wanted to continue leading the party as federal spokesman even after the upcoming party conference in June.
It is pronounced in the AfD that whoever is in front always has to leave.
"I can stand it." Chrupalla said he felt supported by the party's base.
Few officials see him critically.
»I always say that when I come home in the evening, my wife has to pull five knives out of my back.
And the knives are always the same color.
Unfortunately, that's part of politics.' He confirmed his intention to remain party leader.
"My job in the party is not over yet."
A decision is to be made at a party conference in mid-June.
Other candidates for the party leadership have not yet positioned themselves.
Chrupalla stated that he would also be available for a dual leadership.
Since Jörg Meuthen left the party, the master painter has led the AfD alone.
But there will probably be a leadership duo again, since a change in the AfD statutes would have to be enforced with a two-thirds majority for a single leader.
That doesn't seem to be the case.
as/dpa