Büttner appointed as the anti-Semitism commissioner

Progressive politicians - Büttner appointed as the anti-Semitism commissioner

Andreas Büttner, a left-wing politician, will likely take on the role of Brandenburg's first anti-Semitism commissioner after receiving support from most parliamentary factions. The decision was made by the main committee of the state parliament during a Wednesday meeting, according to German Press Agency reports. Prior to this, the coalition factions of the SPD, CDU, and Greens, together with the Left faction and the group of Free Voters, had reached a consensus. However, the AfD faction opposes the creation of this position.

Büttner, a 50-year-old, was one of many candidates considered for the job and was chosen after a lengthy search that included input from the Jewish communities. The parliament will make the final decision in the coming days. Büttner expressed his excitement about the role, stating, "We need this position more than ever." He is the religious-political spokesperson for the Left faction and one of the co-chairmen of the Israel Friendship Group in the Brandenburg state parliament. While identifying as a Mormon, he doesn't actively practice the religion. The commissioner's role will involve acting as a liaison for Jewish individuals in instances of alleged anti-Semitism. Brandenburg saw a significant increase in anti-Semitic crimes the previous year.

Read also:

1. During a recent parliamentary session in Potsdam, the coalition factions of several political groups, including the SPD, CDU, Greens, Left, and Free Voters, advocated for the establishment of a Parliamentary group dedicated to combating anti-Semitism in Brandenburg's Parliament.
2. The German Press Agency reported that the growth of anti-Semitic incidents in Brandenburg prompted the Parliament to consider establishing an Anti-Semitism Commissioner, a role that Andreas Büttner, a member of the Left faction and co-chairman of the Israel Friendship Group, was appointed to fill.
3. Despite facing opposition from the AfD faction in the Parliament, the appointment of Brandenburg's first Anti-Semitism Commissioner received the backing of most Parliamentary factions, signifying a collective effort to tackle this rising issue in the region, which is primarily associated with religious and political backgrounds, such as Büttner's affiliation with the Mormon community and his role as the Left faction's religious-political spokesperson.

• Tough return to normality in snow and ice
• Steinmeier joined a moment of silence - a legal battle over an AfD protest.
• German national soccer team on their way to participate in the European Championship qualifying matches.
• The flooding has lessened, but the aftermath of mud remains.