Right-wing extremist local leaders: criticism of "normalization"

Local politics - Right-wing extremist local leaders: criticism of "normalization"

Despite his past in a far-right youth association, a member of the AfD was elected as the mayor of the locality Rosslau in Dessau-Roßlau. Laurens Nothdurft was elected as the mayor of the locality Rosslau on Tuesday in the local council election with six votes, according to a statement from the city spokesperson in response to an inquiry. Previously, the "Mitteldeutsche Zeitung" had reported this. In addition, in the Oranienbaum-Wörlitz city district of Gohrau, a representative of the party "Die Heimat" (formerly NPD), which is under observation by the Constitutional Protection Agency of Saxony-Anhalt, was elected as the local council chairman.

The Mobile Consultation Team against Right-wing Extremism in Anhalt speaks of a "normalization of the extreme right." With these two mayors having connections to the neo-Nazi milieu, it underscores how much the extreme right has normalized.

Engagement in the "Heimattreuer Deutsche Jugend"

The Left criticizes above all the normalization of the AfD on a local level. In many local representative bodies, candidates of the AfD were promoted to the highest offices, said Fraktionsvorsitzende Eva von Angern. "It is the local factions that help right-wing extremists to more power." Before the ensuing normalization and trivialization of the AfD, several right-wing extremism experts had warned.

The new mayor of Rosslau, Laurens Nothdurft, was reportedly actively engaged in a leading position in the so-called Heimattreuer Deutsche Jugend. A city spokesperson confirmed this. His opponent, Klemens Koschig, who was formerly the mayor of the free city, received only three votes in the election, according to the city spokesperson. Two other votes were invalid.

Candidate for the position of Ortsvorsteher

Only one candidate, Benjamin Focke, ran for the position of Ortsvorsteher in Gohrau. The right-wing extremist "Heimat" is the successor party of the NPD. It is under observation by the Constitutional Protection Agency of Saxony-Anhalt because it promotes a closed right-wing extremist worldview.

Constitutional Protection Report Saxony-Anhalt

1. The 'Mitteldeutsche Zeitung' reported on the election of Laurens Nothdurft from the AfD as the mayor of Rosslau in Dessau-Roßlau.
2. In the discussion on the 'Protection of the constitution', concerns about the normalization of right-wing extremism, such as in the case of the elected mayors with ties to the neo-Nazi milieu, are raised.
3. In the local politics of Dessau-Roßlau and Oranienbaum-Wörlitz, the NPD's successor party, the 'Heimat', has gained influence, like the newly elected local council chairman in Gohrau.
4. Laurens Nothdurft, the newly elected mayor of Rosslau, is known to have had an active role in the Heimattreuer Deutsche Jugend, a far-right youth association, as confirmed by a city spokesperson.
5. The fight against right-wing extremism in Saxony-Anhalt is a constant challenge, as highlighted in the 'Constitutional Protection Report Saxony-Anhalt'.
6. In the pursuit of 'Choice' and representation in local politics, extreme right-wing parties like the AfD and its successors, such as the Heimat, are actively seeking political positions, as seen in the elections in Rosslau and Gohrau.

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