Rival AfD politicians settled their differences with swords

The challenge came during a heated nomination meeting in July. Last Saturday, the two met at a student union building in Düsseldorf, armed with swords. It is the same form of academic fencing that German students once used to settle matters of honor.

Two AfD politicians from rival camps in North Rhine-Westphalia have faced off in a traditional student fencing match, a so-called Mensur, in Düsseldorf. Matthias Büschges' from Cologne and Jeremy Franosch The duel took place on October 17 at a student club in Düsseldorf. The Büschges confirmed to the German Press Agency (dpa) that they had fenced against each other, but did not provide any details about the outcome or any injuries.

Two Different Factions: Moderates vs. Patriots

The challenge arose during a nominating convention in Marl in July, where the party nominated candidates for the 2027 state election. The conflict between the two camps had escalated. Büschges belongs to the more moderate camp led by the state party chair Martin Vincentz, while Franosch is considered part of the so-called "patriotic camp" centered around the Dortmund-based member of the Bundestag Matthias Helferich.

The Büschges have described the settlement as a private matter that arose ”in a beer-induced mood” and which has nothing to do with the party. Both are fathers and, according to him, view it as a sport.

Fencing has a rich history in Germany

Mensur is a form of fencing that has historically been practiced within German student fraternities. It is not about winning or losing in the usual sense, but about demonstrating courage by standing still and taking the thrusts.

The face is often left unprotected, and the scars—Schmiss—have long been seen as a sign of participation. The tradition dates back to the 19th century and was particularly strong among university students in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It continued after the war in certain student organizations, although it has declined in scope and has often been criticized.

Party leadership distances itself

It is unusual for two active politicians in a modern political party to invoke this tradition in the context of an internal power struggle. This is happening at a time when the AfD’s state chapter in North Rhine-Westphalia has been divided for months. The party leadership has distanced itself from the matter.

Vincentz has said that politics is about peaceful solutions and intellectual cross-swords, not real ones. The duel is described by those involved as private and sporting. The historical parallel is nevertheless clear: it is the same form of academic fencing that German students and academics once used to settle disputes over honor and status within their fraternities.