Actor Hallervorden's campaign appearances spark controversy for German CDU candidate

A campaign event featuring actor Dieter Hallervorden alongside Saxony-Anhalt's CDU candidate Sven Schulze has ignited controversy. Hallervorden, a 90-year-old cabaret artist, is scheduled to appear at four events with Schulze before the state election, with appearances already held in Halle and Magdeburg.

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For the CDU Germany, it is very clear: There is no genocide in Gaza, we stand by Israel and Ukraine in the fight against terror and aggression.

The events, titled "Culture Needs Freedom," feature Hallervorden and Schulze on stage with a moderator, discussing personal concepts of freedom, the needs of a vibrant democracy, and the roles of art, free speech, and social cohesion. Hallervorden, however, incorporates musical performances and strongly emphasizes peace, explicitly rejecting current defense and arms policies. He also referenced Israel's policies, with a background video during one of his songs briefly showing a demonstration banner reading "Stop the Genocide in Gaza."

CDU Secretary-General Franziska Hoppermann issued a statement clarifying the party's position: "For the CDU Germany, it is very clear: There is no genocide in Gaza, we stand by Israel and Ukraine in the fight against terror and aggression." She added, "We stand for freedom and want to be able to defend ourselves so that we don't have to. Nothing will change about that. We stand for freedom of speech and art, but here too there are limits - but at least art must live with clear contradiction."

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We stand for freedom and want to be able to defend ourselves so that we don't have to. Nothing will change about that. We stand for freedom of speech and art, but here too there are limits - but at least art must live with clear contradiction.

Schulze himself defended the format, stating in a previous event, "I don't want to have a country and govern a country as minister president where I feel like, hopefully, they all say what I say. Rather, I would like to have counter-arguments too." The CDU state association explained that the event was intentionally designed as a discussion format to show that people can remain in respectful conversation despite differing views. They emphasized that this does not mean Schulze or the CDU Sachsen-Anhalt endorse every opinion expressed.

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I don't want to have a country and govern a country as minister president where I feel like, hopefully, they all say what I say. Rather, I would like to have counter-arguments too.