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SPD Demands Consequences After CDU Mayor Donates to AfD
🇩🇪 Germany /Elections & Politics

SPD Demands Consequences After CDU Mayor Donates to AfD

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The SPD parliamentary group leader Dirk Wiese is demanding consequences from the CDU following a donation by a CDU local politician to the AfD.
  • The CDU politician reportedly donated 10,000 euros to the AfD and recommended voting for the party in the upcoming state election.
  • Wiese stated that such actions by a CDU official undermine democratic norms and contribute to the normalization of a party deemed unconstitutional.

Dirk Wiese, parliamentary group leader for the SPD in the German Bundestag, is demanding a swift and clear response from the CDU after a local politician from the party made a significant donation to the AfD. Wiese emphasized that this is not a minor local incident, given the politician's actions.

If a CDU official donates 10,000 euros to the AfD and calls for the abandonment of the firewall, then this is not an insignificant local incident.

— Dirk WieseParliamentary group leader for the SPD, commenting on the CDU politician's donation to the AfD.

The CDU official in question, Bernd Prange, who serves as mayor and a district council member in Stendal, Saxony-Anhalt, reportedly donated 10,000 euros to the AfD. He also issued a recommendation to vote for the far-right party in the upcoming state election on September 6. The AfD confirmed receiving the donation, which was first reported by the Magdeburg "Volksstimme."

It requires clarity now that there is no place in the CDU for any support of the AfD. The SPD has always been unambiguous on this matter.

— Dirk WieseDemanding a clear stance from the CDU regarding support for the AfD.

Prange, in a letter cited by the newspaper, justified his donation by expressing "deep concern for our country." He stated his intention to vote for the AfD and urged conservatives to follow suit, hoping for an absolute majority for the party in Saxony-Anhalt. Prange also expressed a desire for the CDU to reconsider its political course.

Whoever financially supports the AfD so massively and wishes them an absolute majority in the state election, as CDU Mayor Bernd Prange does, leaves the democratic center and continues to work towards the normalization of a party that is hostile to the constitution.

— Dirk WieseCriticizing the CDU politician's actions and their implications for democratic norms.

Wiese criticized Prange's actions, stating that financially supporting the AfD and wishing for its absolute majority means "leaving the democratic center and continuing to work towards the normalization of a party that is hostile to the constitution." He stressed the SPD's consistent stance against such support and called for clarity from the CDU that there is no room for any form of assistance to the AfD within their party.

deep concern for our country

— Bernd PrangeThe CDU politician's stated reason for donating to the AfD.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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