--- type: politician_profile lang: en canonical: https://www.politicaelectoral.com/en/germany/politicians/tino-chrupalla name: Tino Chrupalla partido: afd updated_at: 2026-05-03T12:53:34 data_crc: 73a9b9fd --- Tino Chrupalla is a German politician from the **AfD**, serving as its federal co-chair and leading figure in the Bundestag. ## Political career Tino Chrupalla was born in **1975** in Saxony and trained first as a **painter and varnisher**, later becoming a **master craftsman** in that trade. His professional background in the skilled trades has been central to his public image within the AfD, which has often presented him as a representative of ordinary wage earners and small-business interests rather than a traditional professional politician. He entered politics through the AfD’s growth in eastern Germany and was elected to the **Bundestag in 2017**, as the party made its breakthrough into the federal parliament. In the legislature, he quickly became one of the most visible members of the parliamentary group. His profile rose further when he was chosen as **federal co-chair of the AfD in 2019**, taking over the party’s top leadership role alongside the other co-chair at the time. Since then, he has remained one of the central faces of the party at federal level. Chrupalla also serves as **chairman of the AfD parliamentary group**, a role that places him at the centre of internal coordination in the Bundestag. That position gives him influence over parliamentary strategy, messaging and the party’s public line on contentious issues. His trajectory from craftsman to senior national politician has been repeatedly used by the AfD to project an image of social rootedness and proximity to the party’s base. ## Relationship with the public Chrupalla’s relationship with the electorate is closely tied to the **AfD’s strength in eastern Germany**, especially in Saxony, where the party has built much of its support. He is often presented as approachable and grounded, reflecting a style that appeals to voters who feel disconnected from established parties. Among supporters, he is seen as a practical voice who speaks plainly and resists what the AfD describes as political elitism. Among critics, he is regarded as a prominent representative of a party associated with nationalist rhetoric, polarisation and a hard line on migration and identity politics. His media presence is significant, but it is also contentious: he is frequently covered as a leading figure of a protest-style opposition party, and his interventions often attract strong reactions from opponents and commentators. Civil society organisations and mainstream political actors generally treat him as part of the AfD’s leadership core, meaning that his statements are closely scrutinised for their implications on democracy, social cohesion and Germany’s political culture. He tends to perform well in contexts where direct, confrontational messaging is rewarded, but his public role also makes him a focus of controversy whenever the AfD is criticised for radicalisation or provocations. ## Positions and political profile Chrupalla’s political profile is shaped by the **AfD’s core themes**: migration control, national sovereignty, opposition to what the party sees as excessive EU integration, criticism of green transformation policies and scepticism towards the political establishment. He is generally associated with a more pragmatic, publicly moderate tone than some of the party’s more radical voices, though he remains firmly within the AfD’s nationalist and populist tradition. He is known for defending the interests of **small and medium-sized enterprises**, skilled trades and voters who feel neglected by Berlin’s mainstream parties. His background gives him credibility on economic and workplace issues, but his strongest visibility comes from cultural and identity-related debates. He has repeatedly backed stricter asylum policy, a more restrictive approach to immigration and a stronger emphasis on German national interests. Inside the party, Chrupalla is viewed as an important stabilising figure at federal level, particularly in maintaining unity between different currents of the AfD. Outside the party, he is often perceived as one of the more disciplined and media-conscious leaders, although critics argue that he still fronts a party that normalises anti-establishment resentment and right-wing nationalism. A defining moment in his leadership came with his elevation to **federal co-chair in 2019**, which confirmed his standing as a top national politician. His subsequent role in the Bundestag has tied him even more closely to the party’s parliamentary strategy and public profile. Another important aspect of his career has been his association with the AfD’s strong performance in eastern Germany, where its electoral appeal has remained especially durable. ## Frequently asked questions **Who is Tino Chrupalla?** He is a German politician and one of the top leaders of the **Alternative for Germany (AfD)**, serving as the party’s federal co-chair and a senior figure in its Bundestag group. **What is Tino Chrupalla’s role in the AfD?** He has been the **federal co-chair of the AfD since 2019** and also serves as chairman of the AfD parliamentary group in the Bundestag. **When did Tino Chrupalla enter the Bundestag?** He has been a **member of the Bundestag since 2017**, when the AfD entered the federal parliament with a substantial breakthrough. **What was Tino Chrupalla’s background before politics?** He worked in the **skilled trades** as a painter and varnisher and later qualified as a master craftsman, which remains central to his public image. **How is Tino Chrupalla perceived politically?** Supporters see him as a practical, grounded representative of ordinary voters, while critics view him as a leading face of the AfD’s nationalist and populist politics. **Where is Tino Chrupalla strongest politically?** His strongest support is associated with **eastern Germany**, particularly Saxony, where the AfD has performed especially well.