“I can understand this reaction very well, they were harsh accusations,” says Bavaria’s deputy prime minister. This was preceded by his behavior in connection with an anti-Semitic leaflet.
Bavaria’s Deputy Prime Minister Hubert Aiwanger can understand that many people no longer trust him after the leaflet affair.
“Of course I can understand that,” said the head of the Free Voters and Bavarian Economics Minister to the “Jüdische Allgemeine”. He could also understand that the concentration camp memorials in Bavaria did not want to hold any public events with him and also that the majority of the Jewish community in Bavaria and Germany were horrified by the way the allegations surrounding the creation of the anti-Semitic leaflet were handled.
“I can understand this reaction very well, they were harsh accusations. But I couldn’t apologize for the authorship of the horrible paper because it wasn’t me,” said Aiwanger. Further expectations of him, for example to be more humble or to stop holding election events, “at the height of the election campaign would have played into the hands of those who, in my opinion, deliberately placed the publications right at the beginning of the postal vote, to benefit me and the free people “To harm voters.”
Aiwanger again rejects allegations
Aiwanger used the interview again to reject all allegations against him in connection with the anti-Semitic leaflet from his school days and its creation. He emphasized that he was never a Jew hater.
When asked by the newspaper, Aiwanger explained that he could “very well understand” the critical reaction of the President of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria, Charlotte Knobloch. Knobloch had explained that she had accepted Aiwanger’s call, but not his apology. “Of course I’m still looking for a conversation. In fact, I have received requests for a conversation from two Israelite religious communities in Bavaria, which I would like to accept.”
Aiwanger: “Rebuilding broken trust”
In addition, he will meet with Central Council President Josef Schuster before the state elections in Bavaria on October 8th. “If possible discreetly, so as not to turn the sensitive issue into a football in the election campaign in Bavaria. And even after the election, I will leave no stone unturned to rebuild broken trust,” said Aiwanger.
An anti-Semitic leaflet from Aiwanger’s school days recently caused a major scandal in Bavaria. As a result, Aiwanger’s brother came out as the author, but further allegations were made about Aiwanger’s previous behavior. After several days he apologized, but at the same time complained about a campaign against him. Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) spoke out against dismissal. Since then, the Free Voters have experienced a real surge in surveys.
Aiwanger interview in the Jüdische Allgemeine
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
