The Brandenburg branch of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) is meeting in Jüterbog to elect a new state executive board and vote on a controversial shift from a member-based to a delegate-based convention system.

Leadership Elections

Current chairman René Springer is expected to seek re-election as the head of the state association.

Structural Reform

The party is voting on a statute amendment to transition from 'member-only' conventions to a 'delegate-based' system to improve organizational efficiency.

Extremism Classification

The congress occurs while the branch is classified as a 'proven right-wing extremist' organization by the Brandenburg Office for the Protection of the Constitution.

Internal Debate

Critics within the party argue that moving away from member-only voting reduces grassroots democratic participation.

The Brandenburg branch of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) will convene in Jüterbog on March 14, 2026, for a two-day state party congress centered on leadership elections. The primary objective of the gathering is the selection of a new state executive board to lead the organization through the next term. Delegates and members are scheduled to meet throughout the weekend of March 14-15 to cast their votes. This meeting occurs as the party continues to navigate its position within the regional political landscape of Brandenburg. Security measures are expected to be in place around the venue in Jüterbog to ensure the proceedings continue without interruption. The AfD Brandenburg was established in 2013 as the regional wing of the national party, which originally focused on opposition to the Euro currency. Over the following decade, the state association moved toward more radical positions, leading the regional Office for the Protection of the Constitution to classify it as a "proven right-wing extremist" entity in 2024. This classification allows domestic intelligence services to employ surveillance measures against the organization. René Springer assumed the chairmanship in 2024, succeeding previous leaders during a period of internal restructuring.

A significant item on the congress agenda involves a proposed amendment to the party's internal statutes regarding the organization of future conventions. The leadership will present a plan to transition from "member-only" assemblies to a delegate-based system for future state-level meetings. Currently, the AfD Brandenburg frequently allows every individual member to attend and vote, a practice that has become logistically challenging as membership numbers have grown. Proponents of the change argue that smaller, delegate-focused meetings will be more efficient and easier to host in standard venues. The debate over this structural shift is expected to be a focal point of the weekend's internal deliberations.

René Springer, the current state chairman and a member of the Bundestag, is expected to stand for re-election during the congress. Springer has led the state association since 2024 and also serves as the spokesperson for labor and social affairs for the AfD parliamentary group in the federal legislature. His leadership has been defined by the party's classification as a "proven right-wing extremist" organization by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. Despite the legal and intelligence scrutiny associated with this designation, the party maintains a robust organizational presence in Brandenburg. The results of the leadership vote will determine whether the current executive course remains unchanged for the upcoming legislative period.

AfD Brandenburg Congress Schedule: — ; — ; —