- Controversy Surrounding AfD After Dramatic Incident at Commemoration
Following a buzz at a contentious memorial service for Nazi euthanasia victims in Brandenburg an der Havel, organizers and the Alternative for Germany (AfD) are pointing fingers and engaging in a verbal spat, attempting to pin blame on one another. The Brandenburg Memorials Foundation has conceded that the AfD, who sought to lay a wreath, was mistakenly included on the guest list, as per recent disclosures. The AfD is pressing for the resignation of the memorial's director due to her denial of the wreath-laying ceremony.
Allegedly, the memorial's chief, Sylvia de Pasquale, had requested an AfD politician to refrain from depositing a wreath at the event on Sunday. However, AfD city councilor Lisa-Marie Köster defied this request and placed her floral tribute at the designated location. Other attendees then voiced their disapproval, and according to press reports, the wreath was subsequently removed.
The foundation acknowledged that the AfD's invitation was sent out "unintentionally." "This represents a major blunder in the process of extending invitations to the memorial, which is presently being probed internally." At the same time, the foundation's director, Axel Drecoll, backed the director's stance. He emphasized that a party such as the AfD, whose members downplay Nazi atrocities, is "inappropriate for memorial events and wreath-laying ceremonies."
AfD district chairman Michael Albrecht had previously urged the "immediate departure of the memorial director." "A memorial event should be untainted by politics and any ideology. An individual who seeks to honor the victims of National Socialism employing Nazism tactics has no place in this role. The AfD faction's wreath was subsequently hurled over the fence." The AfD also addressed the invitation which had been distributed.
As per the memorial, more than 9,000 people from mental and nursing homes were exterminated in the "euthanasia" extermination center in Brandenburg an der Havel in 1940. The memorial event was held to commemorate the anniversary of the enactment of the supposed "mercy killing" decree by Adolf Hitler.
The Brandenburg Memorials Foundation is currently investigating the incident where an AfD politician was mistakenly included on the guest list for the memorial service and laid a wreath, leading to controversy. Despite this, the foundation's director, Axel Drecoll, believes that parties like the AfD, who minimize Nazi atrocities, are not appropriate for memorial events and wreath-laying ceremonies.
In response to the controversy, the AfD is calling for the resignation of the memorial's director, citing her alleged denial of their right to lay a wreath at the memorial service. They argue that a memorial event should be free from political and ideological influence.
