The main candidate of the AfD party sparks outrage with a statement about the Nazi era
The main candidate of the AfD party, Ulrich Siegmund, sparked widespread outrage after he refused to describe the Nazi era as the 'worst period in human history' during a podcast. He also indicated in his statements that Germany's confrontation with its past is exaggerated, which drew severe criticism.
The Central Council of Jews condemned Siegmund's statements, warning that his remarks show sympathy for the Nazi era. The council's president, Josef Schuster, stated that his refusal to describe the Holocaust as the worst crime in human history is a justification for the atrocities committed by the Nazis.
Siegmund, who is running for the regional elections in 2026 in Saxony-Anhalt, made these statements on the Politico podcast. He insisted that he cannot make a full judgment on the past of humanity and emphasized the importance of learning from history as a whole, describing the criticisms as 'greatly exaggerated.'
Schuster pointed to the danger of Siegmund's rhetoric, especially when AfD supporters chant 'Victory!' at events, which evokes slogans from the Nazi era. He described the politician's behavior as 'absolute impudence', emphasizing that the AfD is not a political alternative but a threat to open society and democracy.
Siegmund defended himself by saying that an excessive focus on historical crimes could lead to the creation of a 'language police' that restricts freedom of expression in the present. He emphasized that his priority is to learn from history comprehensively and look to the future, rather than getting caught up in individual events, a stance that has increased public concern.