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German far-right AfD co-chief quits after election disappointment

The co-chief of Germany's far-right AfD Jörg Meuthen said on Monday that he would not seek to continue as head of the eurosceptic and islamophobic party.

Jörg Meuthen (left) with AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla and AfD parliamentary leader Alice Weidel after a press conference in Berlin after the election.
Jörg Meuthen (left) with AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla and AfD parliamentary leader Alice Weidel after a press conference in Berlin after the election. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Bernd von Jutrczenka

After six and a half “incredibly challenging” but also “enriching” years, Meuthen said in a statement that he would “no longer bear the role of federal spokesman” for the party.

Formed in 2013, the AfD first won seats in the German parliament in 2017 but lost ground in elections at the end of September this year.

Despite topping the poll in two former east German states, the party received around 10 percent of the vote nationally, down two percentage points on its previous result.

Meuthen, a member of the European Parliament since 2017, said he would continue his “political work” against “the course set by established parties in Germany and Brussels”.

READ ALSO: Germany’s far right AfD chooses hardline team ahead of national elections 

Victory for radical wing

Known as a more moderate figure within the party, Meuthen has been under attack from the more radical members of the AfD.

During a party congress in April, a group of delegates attempted to remove Meuthen from his role as co-party leader.

Meuthen sought in 2020 to dissolve the so-called “Wing”, the most extreme strain within the party, ejecting one of its principal figures, Andreas Kalbitz.

The anti-Islam, hard-right AfD has often courted controversy by calling for Germany to stop atoning for its World War II crimes.

One of its co-chiefs, Alexander Gauland, once described the Nazi era as just “a speck of bird poo” on German history.

READ ALSO: ‘Yes to Dexit’: Far-right AfD firms up election strategy

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POLITICS

Federal President gives final sign-off to cannabis legalisation

The sign-off clears the final legislative hurdle for the law, paving the way for cannabis to become legal in Germany on April 1st - Easter Monday.

Federal President gives final sign-off to cannabis legalisation

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has given final sign-off to Germany’s law legalising cannabis, despite appeals from the opposition Christian Democrats not to sign the law over objections from state interior and justice ministers.

Even against these objections, the law passed the Bundesrat – German parliament’s upper chamber representing the states – on March 22nd. The Bundestag approved it already last month.

Presidential signature is the last step required to make German laws official after they’ve passed the country’s two chambers of parliament.

Although the law technically comes into effect April 1st, its implementation will be done in stages.

From April 1st, people will be able to legally possess and smoke cannabis in Germany and grow up to three plants at home. They’ll be able to have up to 25 grams on them and be in possession of 50 grams in total.

However, until July 1st, the only way to get cannabis in Germany legally will be to grow it yourself. On July 1st, cannabis clubs will open for distribution.

KEY POINTS: What to know about Germany’s partial legalisation of cannabis

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