AfD Honorary Chairman Alexander Gauland Battles Cancer
The 85-year-old politician is undergoing chemotherapy and working remotely from home.
1Diagnosis and Treatment
Alexander Gauland, the honorary chairman of the AfD, is currently battling cancer. His office manager, Marco Wall, confirmed that the 85-year-old politician has undergone three surgeries since early last year. His ability to attend plenary sessions in the German Bundestag is now strictly dependent on the progress of his ongoing chemotherapy treatments.
2Remote Parliamentary Work
Despite his health challenges, Gauland continues to perform his political duties remotely from his home. He remains a member of the Bundestag, though his physical presence in the chamber has become limited. His colleagues, including Bernd Baumann, have expressed shock and support, noting his previous iron discipline while attending sessions despite illness.
3Voting Record Analysis
Data indicates that Gauland participated in only 47 of the 85 recorded votes during the current legislative period. His most recent participation occurred in July during a vote on the Sports Promotion Act. This legislative proposal received support from both the governing coalition and several members of the opposition, including the AfD.
4Oldest Serving Member
At 85 years old, Gauland is currently the oldest member of the German Bundestag. He was elected in the Chemnitz constituency 161 with 32.2 percent of the first-preference votes during the February 2025 election. It remains unclear whether he was aware of his medical condition prior to his successful campaign for the seat.
5Recent Public Appearances
Gauland has maintained some public engagement despite his health status. As recently as late October, he participated in a public debate in Stollberg, Erzgebirge, alongside former SPD politician Thilo Sarrazin. These appearances highlight his ongoing commitment to political discourse despite the physical toll of his medical treatment and recovery process.
6Political Career Context
A founding member of the AfD, Gauland previously served as a federal spokesperson and co-chairman of the party's parliamentary group. Originally a member of the CDU and a noted publicist, he is widely regarded as a key architect behind the party's shift toward more radical positions since its inception in Germany.
7Internal Party Reaction
Bernd Baumann, the First Parliamentary Secretary of the AfD faction, stated that the party received the news of Gauland's illness with great distress. Colleagues noted that Gauland had previously kept his condition private, demonstrating significant personal discipline while attending parliamentary sessions even when he was clearly not in good health.
8Future Outlook
The situation underscores the challenges faced by elderly parliamentarians managing chronic health issues while serving in high-pressure legislative roles. While Gauland expresses a desire to return to full participation in the Bundestag, his future attendance remains contingent on his medical recovery. The party continues to monitor his progress with hope for recovery.
Original article: Der Spiegel – Politik — AfD Honorary Chairman Alexander Gauland Battles Cancer