The AfD is considered to be a “secure right-wing extremist” in Saxony. Should one of their representatives therefore give a speech on Holocaust remembrance? At least that’s how it’s planned in Freital – and it’s met with criticism.
The planned speech by an AfD politician on Holocaust Remembrance Day in Freital, Saxony, is causing criticism. For survivors of the Holocaust, this seems shameless and macabre, explained the vice president of the International Auschwitz Committee, Christoph Heubner. The AfD in Saxony is a right-wing extremist party. The members spread an ideology that stigmatized people. In addition, their representatives have repeatedly trivialized the crimes of the Nazi years and declared them irrelevant, criticized Heubner.
According to the city, the city council factions in Freital near Dresden have been taking turns giving speeches on Holocaust Remembrance Day for years. This year it would be the turn of the AfD, which represents 8 of the 34 city councilors. The Council of Elders confirmed this at a special meeting on Monday. It was said that the parliamentary group would decide who exactly would give the speech. The city administration does not yet have any information about this. The MDR had previously reported.
OB: Don’t exploit public remembrance
“Whether everyone likes it or not: the AfD faction sits democratically elected on the city council,” emphasized Mayor Uwe Rumberg (Conservative Center). There is a procedure approved by all sides, which the Council of Elders has once again confirmed. That’s why he doesn’t understand the outrage. “And instead of further dividing and instrumentalizing public remembrance or putting it in the shadow of an ideology, I expect everyone to take part in the remembrance peacefully and with dignity.” Otherwise, the memory of the victims of the National Socialist tyranny would be pushed into the background and damaged.
The left-wing state parliament member Antje Feiks criticized the city’s actions. A speech by an AfD politician on a day like this is not acceptable, she told the German Press Agency. The Saxon AfD is classified as “certainly right-wing extremist” by the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution. She also referred to recent revelations about a meeting between right-wing extremists and AfD politicians where “remigration” was discussed. When right-wing extremists use this term, they usually mean that large numbers of people of foreign origin should leave the country – even under duress.
For years, the victims of National Socialist tyranny have been commemorated on January 27th. On this day in 1945, the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated by the Red Army. Commemorative events are planned in many places in Saxony.
Source: Stern
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