Parties - Berlin's ex-CDU Senator Kurth will not become an AfD member
Former Berlin CDU Finance Senator Peter Kurth stated that he will not join the AfD, despite having contacts with the party. "I was, am, and will be no member of the AfD", Kurth told the German Press Agency. "I have closed my political career plans. For many years, I have had no relevant political functions." Regarding criticism of his contacts in extreme right-wing circles, Kurth said: "I will not as a private person prohibit myself from talking to whom I want. I know where I draw the line."
The former Senator attended the AfD Brandenburg's campaign kickoff in Werder (Havel) on Friday. Brandenburg's AfD is classified as a suspected right-wing extremist organization by the state's Constitutional Protection Agency. Brandenburg's AfD state chairman René Springer expressed regret that Kurth did not want to join the AfD but respected his decision.
Personal Contacts with AfD Members
In the summer of the previous year, a meeting of radical right-wing individuals took place in Kurth's apartment. AfD European Parliament member Maximilian Krah presented his book "Politics from the Right" at the event. Right-wing activist Martin Sellner and the Berlin AfD party and faction leader, Kristin Brinker, were also present. Kurth told "Spiegel" at the time that he did not know all participants in his apartment but was "personally acquainted with several AfD members."
Kurth knew Brandenburg AfD top candidate Hans-Christoph Berndt from his time as a faculty representative at Berlin's Charité. The Charité Supervisory Board distanced itself from "hate speech" from Berndt in 2016. Kurth had to resign as president of the Federal Association of the Waste Industry (BDE) in January, just before the end of his term, due to publicized contacts with right-wing circles. In Werder, Kurth followed Berndt's speech and carried an AfD campaign flag, then he left.
Kurth was to become a CDU member in Brandenburg
Kurth stated that he left the CDU last year, after which CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann asked him to stay and become a CDU member in Märkisch-Oderland. In Brandenburg, he has a secondary residence. According to his statements, he received confirmation of the transferred membership and paid the fee. Kreis Chairwoman Kristy Augustin of the dpa stated that Kurth was never accepted as a member by the Kreisvorstand. "The transfer was not valid, as it was discovered that he had left the CDU in Berlin." This came to light through media reports. There is also no new application for membership.
Kurth was Berlin Finance Senator from 1999 to 2001 and a Berlin representative from 2001 to 2006. In 2009, he failed as a CDU candidate in the election for Cologne Mayor. From 2008, he led the Waste Industry Association BDE until the organization severed ties with him. Berlin's governing Mayor and CDU State Chairman Kai Wegner expressed shock and sadness over Kurth's development in January.
AfD aims for the government in Brandenburg
The Brandenburger AfD plans to campaign with a "Politics for the Germans" platform for the assumption of power at the Landtag election in the fall. The goal is "that we become the strongest force on September 22, that we put the power question to the test, and take on the governmental responsibility," said Springer at the campaign start in Werder. Spitzenkandidat Berndt demonstrated a solidarity gesture with the banned "Compact" magazine from Falkensee. "We stand with 'Compact'", said Berndt. Springer stated that the federal government had "trampled on press and freedom of expression with its feet" with the ban on the "Compact" magazine.
- In response to questions about joining the AfD, former Berlin CDU Finance Senator Peter Kurth clarified that he will not be becoming a member.
- Kurth attended the AfD Brandenburg's campaign kickoff in Werder (Havel), despite his decision not to join the party.
- Brandenburg's AfD state chairman René Springer expressed regret about Kurth's decision but respected his choice to remain independent.
- Maximilian Krah, an AfD European Parliament member, presented his book at a radical right-wing gathering in Kurth's apartment last year.
- Martin Sellner, a right-wing activist, and Kristin Brinker, the Berlin AfD party and faction leader, were also present at the meeting in Kurth's apartment.
- Hans-Christoph Berndt, the AfD's top candidate in Brandenburg, and Kurth had a prior affiliation due to Berndt's role as a faculty representative at Berlin's Charité.
- The Charité Supervisory Board distanced itself from "hate speech" from Berndt in 2016, and Kurth had to resign as president of the Federal Association of the Waste Industry (BDE) due to publicized contacts with right-wing circles.
- Springer emphasized that the Brandenburger AfD intends to run on a "Politics for the Germans" platform in the fall's Landtag election, aiming to become the strongest force.
