AfD politician uses Simson mopeds for campaign, drawing criticism from Jewish family descendants

AfD politician Ulrich Siegmund is facing sharp criticism for using Simson mopeds in his election campaign, a move that has deeply upset the descendants of the Jewish Simson family, who founded the company. The family expressed shock and dismay that their name is being associated with the AfD, particularly on campaign materials like T-shirts and posters.

Dennis Baum, a spokesperson for the Simson family, who now reside in the United States, stated that any political endorsement using their name must be completely rejected. He accused the AfD of attempting to leverage the legacy of a family that was forcibly driven out of Germany by the Nazis. The Simson brand, known for its popular mopeds like the "Schwalbe" and S50/51, holds a cult status among many young people in eastern Germany, representing a sense of mobility and East German identity.

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they were shocked that their name appeared, for example, on T-shirts or posters in connection with the AfD. Such political appropriation through the use of the name, which also stands for a well-known moped brand, must be completely ruled out.

The Simson factory, established by the Jewish Simson brothers, is an integral part of Thuringia's Jewish history. The family fled Germany in 1936 after being persecuted by the Nazi regime. Siegmund has previously organized similar campaign events involving Simson mopeds in other towns. Despite protests, AfD politicians, including Björn Höcke, have repeatedly appeared with the mopeds or organized rides, using them as a symbol for their political messaging.

In Saxony-Anhalt, where the election is scheduled for September 6, the AfD is currently leading in opinion polls. The use of the Simson brand by the AfD has sparked controversy, highlighting the ongoing debate about historical appropriation and political branding in Germany.

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Ultimately, the AfD is trying to advertise using the name of the entrepreneurial family that was driven out by the Nazis.