German governor's refusal to dismiss deputy over controversial pamphlet

author: FutureCar Staff    

The leader of Germany's powerful Bavaria state, Markus Soeder, has announced that his deputy, Hubert Aiwanger, will retain his position despite a controversy surrounding an alleged anti-Semitic leaflet that Aiwanger produced as a student 35 years ago. Soeder, a prominent figure in Germany's conservative opposition, stated that it would not be appropriate to dismiss Aiwanger over the incident. The leaflet, which referred to Jews as "traitors to the fatherland" and made disturbing references to Auschwitz, was discovered in Aiwanger's schoolbag during his teenage years in the 1980s. Former classmates have also claimed that Aiwanger made Holocaust jokes, performed Nazi salutes, and even wore a Hitler moustache.

Aiwanger, who leads the Free Voters party, a Right-leaning party that has been in coalition with Soeder's Christian Social Union (CSU) since 2018, will remain in his position. Soeder, who intends to continue the coalition after the upcoming state elections, believed that dismissing Aiwanger would complicate the situation. However, this decision has faced criticism from opposition leaders in Bavaria, while a Jewish leader responded cautiously to the news.

During a press conference in Munich, Soeder acknowledged that the leaflet was "disgusting" but emphasized that there was no evidence proving that Aiwanger had written it. Aiwanger's brother, Helmut, claimed that he was the author of the leaflet, although classmates questioned this assertion, remembering Aiwanger as a long-haired rocker. Helmut Aiwanger suggested that his brother may have been in possession of the leaflet as part of an attempt to collect them in order to "de-escalate" the situation.

The pamphlet offered disturbing prizes for the "greatest traitors to the fatherland," including a "year's accommodation in Dachau" and a "free trip through Auschwitz's chimney." Soeder justified his decision to retain Aiwanger by highlighting the latter's expression of regret for the events that occurred 35 years ago. Soeder emphasized that it is not only what one says at 16 that matters but also how one deals with it as a 52-year-old. He believes that if true remorse is shown, it becomes easier to hope for forgiveness.

FutureCar Staff