Karin Prien: Minister would emigrate if AfD became chancellor

According to her own words, Federal Education Minister Karin Prien would emigrate if the AfD were to become the chancellor’s party. The CDU politician, who has Jewish ancestors, said in the Funke media group’s podcast “My Hardest Decision”: “If the AfD appoints the Chancellor, then I will certainly leave Germany before then. I think I can say that today. That would no longer be my country. And I’m afraid that it’s already very late.”

However, deciding where to emigrate to is not easy, added Prien. The USA and Israel are rather difficult places of refuge at the moment. Nevertheless, she would say: “The most likely option is still Israel. But that is of course a big step.”

The German state is already no longer able to “really effectively protect Jews from attacks on the streets,” said Prien. “Jews who are read as Jews, i.e. who can be identified by wearing a yarmulke or a Star of David, are discriminated against on the street, are spat on, are attacked.” Many people she knows are withdrawing or discussing whether they can continue living in Germany.

At a private meeting at the weekend, she talked to Jews about the question of whether they were now considering creating a financial cushion abroad, said Prien. “So there are some mind games that I don’t completely close myself off to.”

Even if the political institutions are currently holding a clear line, we have to monitor very closely whether it stays that way. It is bitter that one is held liable for decisions made by the Israeli government just because one could actually or supposedly be read as a Jew. “And that is classic anti-Semitic. And these attributions have increased.”