Germans of Jewish descent express dismay over election outcomes
The Jewish Central Council views the AfD's strong showing in Thuringia and Saxony as a "significant shift" and urges the political establishment to "face reality." Central Council President Josef Schuster, in an opinion piece for "Bild," expressed alarm at the increasing number of voters drawn to the AfD due to political convictions. He described the party and its leadership as "unsettling."
The AfD emerged victorious in Thuringia's election on Sunday, trumping the CDU, while in Saxony, it finished second behind the CDU. Both AfD state chapters have been classified by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution as firmly right-wing extremist. Schuster deemed the AfD's performance as "a significant shift." The BSW was participating in state elections for the first time and managed to secure double-digit results in both states.
Schuster commented on the election outcomes: "Germany is reeling. Can we regain our footing after this setback?" He issued a warning against allowing our democratic society to falter, especially in the face of terrorist threats from Islamic extremists. "We need to confront harsh truths," he said., emphasizing the need for honesty and sincerity rather than "populist lies" from extreme parties. Schuster urged the political center to take a firm stand: "It's time for the mainstream parties to speak plainly - face reality. It's high time we addressed this issue once and for all," he demanded.
Knobloch: Different Lifestyles endanger
Charlotte Knobloch, President of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria, voiced her concerns as well. "The election results signify a departure from the historical political culture in the Federal Republic," Knobloch stated late Sunday evening.
Germany risks becoming "a different country: less stable, less warm, less prosperous, less secure, and less livable," Knobloch cautioned. Her concern was not due to protest votes, but rather, "many aimed to bring the extremists on the fringes into accountability." The "damage" has now been inflicted, she added. "The future remains uncertain as to what shape Germany will take moving forward," she concluded.
The Elections to the Landtag of Thuringia saw the AfD emerging victorious, leading to concerns from the Jewish Central Council. Knobloch, President of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria, stated that the election results signify a departure from the historical political culture in the Federal Republic.
