Overview

• Hans‑Georg Maaßen announced on X that he will resign as party chair, citing “scandalous developments,” and said board members who reject Sylvia Pantel’s practices will also quit.
• He added he will not seek re‑election to lead the party’s support association and aims to clarify internal grievances before the congress to allow a fresh start.
• A party statement reported by SPIEGEL says he could run again with a new slate if remaining board members step down or are removed, even though no regular board elections are planned for the meeting.
• The conflict centers on Pantel, who accuses Maaßen of autocratic behavior and claims he unlawfully reshuffled the NRW board, while members have leveled unadjudicated misconduct allegations against her and close officials.
• Several state bodies demanded the ouster of Pantel, Jörg Meuthen and Michael M. Schwarzer and sought a special congress, as the electorally marginal party faces uncertainty over strategy and whether Meuthen will pursue a Baden‑Württemberg lead candidacy in 2026.