AfD under fire as relatives of party officials secure key positions
Questions have arisen over the hiring of relatives within Germany's AfD party after reports highlighted family connections in key positions. Damian Lohr, the AfD's parliamentary manager in Rhineland-Palatinate, has multiple relatives employed in party-linked roles across state lines. Meanwhile, Hessian AfD leader Robert Lambrou has defended the practice, insisting it remains within legal boundaries when qualifications justify the appointments.
Damian Lohr's family holds several positions tied to the AfD. His sister works as an assistant to Robert Lambrou, the faction leader in Hesse's state parliament. Lohr's mother has been employed by the AfD's Rhineland-Palatinate faction for the past decade. Additionally, his stepfather serves as an office manager for the AfD's municipal group in Wiesbaden City Hall.
Lambrou confirmed that no other relatives of Hessian AfD lawmakers are currently employed by the faction, aside from Lohr's sister. He stressed that her role is based on 'outstanding performance' and that the law permits such appointments if candidates meet professional standards. Under Hesse's Law on Members of Parliament, hiring relatives is not explicitly forbidden, provided they possess the necessary qualifications. Beyond Lohr's family, isolated cases have emerged elsewhere. The Frohnmaier family, for instance, includes a father working for Diana Zimmer, a wife employed by Johann Martel, and a sister briefly linked to a Baden-Württemberg AfD member. Another instance involves Thomas Korell, who hired the father of Ulrich Siegmund. While broader references suggest similar practices in AfD Sachsen-Anhalt, no further specific cases have been publicly documented. Lambrou maintained that the Hessian AfD faction has no formal rules against employing relatives. He reiterated that existing laws allow such hires as long as the individuals are suitably qualified.
The AfD's hiring practices have come under scrutiny due to multiple family members holding party-affiliated roles. Lohr's relatives occupy positions in Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Wiesbaden, while Lambrou insists the appointments comply with legal requirements. With no explicit internal policies restricting the practice, the party continues to defend its staffing decisions on the basis of professional merit.
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