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Descendant tries to remove far-right AfD wreath at Hitler assassination memorial
🇦🇷 Argentina /Culture & Society

Descendant tries to remove far-right AfD wreath at Hitler assassination memorial

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A descendant of anti-Nazi resistance attempted to remove an Alternative for Germany (AfD) wreath at a memorial event in Berlin.
  • The incident occurred during a commemoration of the 82nd anniversary of the failed assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler.
  • Security intervened, and the wreath was damaged during a scuffle, sparking debate about the AfD's presence at such historical commemorations.

Tensions flared at a Berlin memorial event commemorating the 82nd anniversary of the failed assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler when a descendant of the resistance tried to remove a wreath laid by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Tobias Korenke, grandnephew of theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, confronted the AfD's parliamentary group wreath, leading to intervention by security guards and damage to the floral tribute during the struggle.

Many descendants, myself included, feel great anger when we see AfD laying wreaths here. We will not accept this

— Tobias KorenkeGrandnephew of resistance theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, expressing anger over the AfD's participation in a memorial.

"Many descendants, myself included, feel great anger when we see AfD laying wreaths here. We will not accept this," Korenke stated, expressing strong opposition to the party's participation. The AfD, Germany's largest opposition party, has faced persistent accusations of extremism, which it vehemently denies. The party secured second place in last year's national elections and aims to win its first state governor position in upcoming regional votes.

The AfD parliamentary group confirmed they provided a wreath for the ceremony, though it was unclear if any members were present. AfD legislator Götz Frömming defended their participation, stating they are officially invited to such events as a represented party in parliament. The incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the AfD's role and historical interpretation within Germany's political landscape.

we are invited to this type of official event as one of the parties represented in the parliament

— Götz FrömmingAfD legislator, defending the party's presence at the commemoration.

The 1944 plot, led by Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, involved a bomb hidden in a briefcase intended to kill Hitler at his Wolf's Lair headquarters. Hitler survived the blast due to a table leg deflecting the explosion, and the plot unraveled quickly. Stauffenberg and other conspirators were executed within hours, while Bonhoeffer was executed in 1945. Karl von Stauffenberg, a grandson of the lead conspirator, commented that while the AfD might be trying to exploit his grandfather's memory, the party should not be prevented from laying a wreath, emphasizing democratic principles of allowing differing viewpoints.

We are democrats... we must ensure that we also allow those who think differently to speak

— Karl von StauffenbergGrandson of Claus von Stauffenberg, commenting on the AfD's right to participate in commemorations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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