How a Jewish heir is taking on Germany's far-right AfD
A descendant of the Jewish Simson family has condemned Germany's far-right AfD for using the historic Simson moped brand in its political campaigns, calling the association offensive and a distortion of his family's legacy.
Dennis Baum, whose family founded the Simson company in Suhl, Thüringen (Thuringia), said the AfD's repeated use of the iconic East German mopeds at rallies and promotional events is deeply upsetting. According to Baum, the family, which was forced to flee Germany after the Nazis seized its business in the 1930s, rejects any connection with extremist politics.
The Simson company was established in the 19th century by Jewish brothers Löb and Moses Simson. During the Nazi era, the family was stripped of its business and fled to the United States. Although the original family no longer owns the brand, Simson mopeds remain a cultural symbol in eastern Germany, particularly popular for models such as the Schwalbe (Swallow) and S50/S51.
The AfD, particularly in Thüringen (Thuringia), has embraced the Simson moped as a symbol of regional identity and freedom. Party figures, including Björn Höcke, have frequently appeared riding the motorcycles during campaign events, while the party has featured them on posters and promoted efforts to recognize the brand as part of Germany's cultural heritage.
Baum said his family's values are completely incompatible with the AfD's political positions and urged the party to stop using the Simson name for political purposes. He stressed that the family's history of persecution under the Nazi regime makes the current association especially painful, arguing that a brand created by a Jewish family should never become a symbol of a far-right political movement.