- The Ministry of Interior Outlines Penalties against AfD-County Council Member
The Thuringian Interior Ministry's Department has levied penalties against Robert Sesselmann, the district administrator of Sonneberg, affiliated with the AfD, following his advocacy for votes in a video. "We'll delve deeply into this issue through legal oversight, and there will be repercussions," stated a representative from the ministry. The State Administration Agency is handling the investigation.
The catalyst for this situation is a viral video that Sesselmann posted on the web recently. In the clip, Sesselmann advocates voting for a specific AfD candidate running for the South Thuringian state parliament, namely Jürgen Treutler, and the party itself. "Thus, as the Sonneberg district administrator, I suggest – with all due respect – that you cast your vote intelligently, backing Jürgen Treutler in the first round, and the AfD in the second round. That's the most rational, appropriate decision you can make on September 1st." Treutler himself shared the video on his Facebook page.
According to regulations, district administrators must uphold political impartiality in public discourse. In response to allegations that he breached the impartiality rule with the video, Sesselmann issued a statement to "Freies Wort," the daily newspaper. "Officials from other parties frequently voice their opinions publicly before elections, and criticize AfD candidates," Sesselmann wrote in his statement, as reported by "Freies Wort." "I'm the only one facing scrutiny in this situation."
Sesselmann is the only district administrator in Germany to represent the AfD. New elections for the Thuringian state parliament will be held on September 1st.
The following actions were initiated by the Thuringian Interior Ministry's Department in response to Robert Sesselmann's video advocacy for AfD votes. Furthermore, the investigation into Sesselmann's alleged breach of impartiality rules is being handled by the State Administration Agency.
