Before the federal election
“catapult”magazine prints more than 500,000 magazines with real AfD quotes
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On February 23rd, Germany will elect a new Bundestag. The AfD is one of the favorites in surveys. The Magazine “catapult” wants to weaken the party. A good idea?
The election campaign has begun and the AfD is ranking high in polls. Benjamin Fredrich, founder of the magazine “catapult”wants to change that and expose the party with its own statements. That’s why he announced an edition that is intended to disseminate problematic quotes from AfD politicians.
“Recognizing yourself is more lasting than long instructions”. Citizens could then decide based on these quotes whether they actually vote for the party or not. The collection is to be printed at least 544,000 times and even more often depending on donations.
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“catapult” is a print magazine from Greifswald in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania that is best known for its striking and memorable graphics and maps. According to the editorial team, the magazine has a circulation of one hundred thousand copies per year. It is financed through donations, subscriptions and book sales. It was founded in 2015 by then student Benjamin Fredrich. The editor-in-chief, who resigned in January 2023 due, among other things, to complaints about outstanding salary payments, is considered ambitious but also cocky with his numerous project ideas.
Founder advertises “real AfD election program”
Fredrich writes that the idea for the collection of quotes came to him after a conversation with a friend who thought the AfD was harmless. With statements from the party he was able to convince his friend of the opposite. That’s why he’s convinced that this method could also work for other people. The party is betraying itself with its statements, “and no one can later say that they knew nothing about it”.
The booklet contains 40 misanthropic quotes and names them “the real AfD election program”. The campaign is financed through donations: one copy will be printed for every euro, he promises “catapult”-Founder. The collection of quotes should reach everyone who is allowed to vote. The first 500,000 copies have already been produced.
“catapult”-Readers horrified by action
The idea of printing a booklet with original quotes from AfD members came from the audience “catapult” not good. The announcement of the campaign on the magazine’s Instagram channel garnered critical comments. In it will “catapult” among other things, accused of increasing the reach of the AfD and thus supporting the party in the election campaign. “Of course it is important to make visible what exactly is being said by AfD politicians, but not like this. Not without comment”writes activist Joris Wiese.
Social and political scientists do not believe that the campaign will deter potential AfD voters. The activist Theresia Crone, citing political science studies, notes that “Reproducing extreme attitudes does not necessarily lead to rejection” can lead to, but to “that people identify with it”.
“You do free PR for the AfD. People choose them BECAUSE of their content”another follower commented on Instagram. Most people know exactly what the AfD stands for and would vote for them precisely because of that.
In fact, in a recent survey by the Yougov polling institute, around half of AfD voters said they were convinced of the party’s content. According to Yougov, many others are protest voters who want to express their dissatisfaction with German democracy by voting for the AfD.
“catapult” wants to rethink action
Faced with criticism, he conceded “catapult”-Founder Fredrich said that the editorial team “probably adjust the action” become. “We have noticed the criticism and take it seriously”. But the booklets have been printed and, according to the report, the fundraising campaign has continued without interruption.
In current surveys, the AfD is in second place. According to YouGov, 30 percent of those surveyed would vote for the Union and 21 percent for the AfD. The SPD would therefore get 18 percent of the vote and the Greens 14 percent. With a vote share of six percent, the Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) would also make it into parliament. The FDP and the Left, on the other hand, would fail at the five percent hurdle.
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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.