Frauke Petry decides not to stand as AfD’s lead candidate in 2017 German elections

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Series Details 19.04.17
Publication Date 19/04/2017
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In advance of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party conference, Frauke Petry, co-chairwoman of AfD, announced on 19 April 2017 she would not stand as the party's lead candidate for the country's federal election taking place in September 2017.

Ms Petry, arguably the most recognisable figure of the party, also stated it was unclear to her whether the party even needed a 'largely symbolic' lead candidate. She criticised the party for failing to have an overall strategy, losing momentum since it reached relevant results in several state elections.

Reports suggested the decision was taken as Ms Petry was increasingly isolated in the party's leadership. Many in the structure believed she was too mainstream and power-hungry, ready to concede on key topics in order to reach agreements with other parties and captivate more moderate voters. Her pregnancy might have also motivated the decision.

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Related Links
Politico, 19.04.17: Frauke Petry won’t be AfD’s lead candidate in German election http://www.politico.eu/article/frauke-petry-wont-be-afds-lead-candidate-in-german-election/
Euronews, 19.04.17: Germany: anti-immigration AfD Party leader to step down http://www.euronews.com/2017/04/19/germany-anti-immigration-afd-party-leader-to-step-down
Deutsche Welle, 19.04.17: [Opinion] What is behind Frauke Petry's decision? http://p.dw.com/p/2bY7G
The Local.de, 19.04.17: AfD leader says she will not run in September election https://www.thelocal.de/20170419/afd-leader-says-she-will-not-run-in-september-election
Wikipedia: Frauke Petry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frauke_Petry
The Guardian, 21.04.17: Germany's AfD party lurching further right as leader pulls out of election https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/21/germays-afd-party-lurching-further-right-as-leader-pulls-out-of-election
Sputnik International, 19.04.17: Germany’s AfD Leader Petry Declines to Head Party’s Election Campaign https://sptnkne.ws/ehaM

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