AfD party in pledge to be ‘robust but constructive’ in opposition

LEADERS OF the nationalist, anti-migrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party have pledged to use their third-place election finish to conduct robust but “constructive” opposition, and sought to allay fears raised by Jewish groups and others about their entry into parliament.

However, long-running cracks at the top of the party widened when co-chairwoman Frauke Petry – one of AfD’s best-known faces, but sidelined over recent months – stormed out of a press conference.

Ms Petry said: “An anarchic party ... can be successful in opposition, but it cannot make voters a credible offer for government.”

She added that she would not join AfD’s parliamentary caucus, and walked out of the room without taking questions.

Co-chairman Joerg Meuthen apologised “on behalf of the party” for the episode, saying it was “not discussed with us”, before moving on.

Persistent leadership infighting so far has failed to cause the party significant harm.

Germany’s mainstream parties have all ruled out teaming up with AfD, which is one of six caucuses in the new parliament after winning 12.6 per cent of the vote.

Including the seat Ms Petry won, it has 94 of the 709 seats.

Co-leader Alice Weidel told reporters the party’s plan was to provide “constructive opposition”. She said: “We have a very clear mandate from the voters, and there is no time to waste.”

AfD drew support from people who previously voted for Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc and from many who did not previously vote at all. It also drained support from the centreleft Social Democrats and others.