Radical beliefs or actions - District councillor Sesselmann has a romantic connection with a former member of NPD.
Robert Sesselmann, a county councilor for the AfD, has openly disclosed his relationship with a woman who once belonged to the NPD. Since May, she has been his life partner. Sesselmann acknowledged that he didn't know about her background or her involvement with the NPD before. The woman exited the NPD in 2019, and her police leadership certificate doesn't record any entries. Sesselmann asserted that he doesn't connect with members of the Homeland or the NPD but admitted possible interactions might occur during campaign events or citizen meetings. These could involve individuals from various political groups.
Left party SP leader Katharina König-Preuss highlighted Sesselmann's links and mentioned a "anti-fascist research" report detailing the woman's ties with prominent NPD individuals and affiliations with right-wing extremists across Germany. An online photo exists featuring the woman with a swastika flag and a portrait of Hitler. According to Thuringia's Constitutional Protection Report from 2018, the woman has connections to leading NPD figures.
Sesselmann reiterated that his relationship was strictly personal. He combined a leisure trip over Pentecost with campaign work, and the woman wasn't engaged in any Political campaigning. He reaffirmed his commitment to enacting his responsibilities as a county councilor. "I'm diligently carrying out my role as a county councilor, and this relationship bears no impact on my bipartisan, impartial duties," he assured.
Sesselmann garnered attention when he was elected as the AfD's first national-level county councilor last year. Criticism and displeasure spread nationwide. The Thuringian AfD, with its chairman, Björn Höcke, is deemed right-wing extremist by authorities, and the party is under surveillance. Additionally, Sesselmann is a member of AfD's state committee. Renowned for their liberal-democratic principles, county councilors are expected to maintain loyalty to the constitution in their capacities as public officials. After his election, the Thuringian Administration Office assessed his loyalty and did not voice any objections.
