AfD faction in western Germany ousts councilman for firebrand speech

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.

Bielefeld AfD MP Maximilian Kneller told dpa on Monday that Eichwald has been removed. A spokeswoman for the city of Herford confirmed the information.

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.

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."

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.

According to Kneller, preparations are also underway in the AfD district association for party expulsion proceedings against Eichwald.

He had only been in the AfD for a few weeks. Hardly anyone knew him, Kneller said.

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.

The AfD was immediately unanimous and is taking all necessary steps "to get rid of him wherever possible," Kneller asserted.

The information about Eichwald was updated on the city council's website on Monday.

Since the newly elected city parliament was constituted a few weeks ago, he had been listed there as a member of the AfD faction.

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.