Central Council of Jews President Warns Against AfD Ahead of Saxony-Anhalt Election

Josef Schuster, the president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, has issued a strong warning against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, particularly in light of the upcoming state election in Saxony-Anhalt.

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The state election in Saxony-Anhalt will be a test for the democratic center of our country.

Schuster described the election as a "test for the democratic center of our country." He characterized prominent AfD figures, such as lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund and state deputy Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, as explicit opponents of an open society. According to Schuster, their policy proposals in crucial areas, especially concerning memory culture, would amount to a repudiation of the Federal Republic's consensus.

He emphasized that parties representing the democratic center now have a duty to acknowledge and address the concerns and needs of the populace. However, Schuster firmly stated that "under no circumstances should there be any rapprochement with the far-right – the so-called Alternative for Germany – out of pure calculation for power." He insisted that the party should not be granted any political responsibility for Germany's liberal democracy and open society after the election.

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In central policy areas, they strive for radical course changes that, for example in the area of memory culture, would amount to a repudiation of our federal consensus.

The election in Saxony-Anhalt is scheduled for September 6th. Current polls indicate the AfD holds a significant lead in the region, making Schuster's warning particularly timely.

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At the same time, for purely power-political reasons, there must be no rapprochement with the far-right – the so-called Alternative for Germany must not be transferred any political responsibility for our liberal democracy and our open society at any point after the election.