Internal Dispute in Values Union - Could Maaßen Depart from the Party?
The conservative small party Werteunion, founded in February 2024, is currently embroiled in a power struggle. This turbulence was ignited by accusations of autocratic and party-harming behaviour from Sylvia Pantel, the deputy chairwoman, against Hans-Georg Maaßen, the federal chairman.
In a video message on the X platform, Pantel levied these accusations against Maaßen, alleging that he has sought proximity to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in public and has dismissed the elected board of the North Rhine-Westphalia state association unlawfully.
Maaßen, prior to joining the Werteunion, was a member of the CDU, and at the party's inception, he expressed that it should fill a gap between the Union and the AfD. However, his recent actions have raised eyebrows, leading to a loss of trust among some members.
In a statement published on Wednesday, Maaßen detailed his views from a Tuesday evening video conference with state chairmen of the Werteunion. He accused parts of the board of a coup and power grab, and expressed uncertainty about his future membership in the party, hinting at a possible withdrawal.
Maaßen reportedly appointed four followers to replace the dismissed board, a move that has been met with criticism. Legal action will be taken against Maaßen's actions, according to Pantel.
The Werteunion's electoral success has been limited thus far, with results in last year's state elections in Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg ranging between 0.2 and 0.6 percent. The party has yet to achieve significant electoral success.
Jörg Meuthen, former AfD chairman, also joined the Werteunion in September 2024, adding another layer of complexity to the party's internal dynamics.
As the power struggle unfolds, the future of the Werteunion hangs in the balance, with members and observers watching closely to see how this story will unfold.
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