Bundestag Vice President Bodo Ramelow of Die Linke has warned about the AfD federal party congress in Erfurt at the beginning of July, drawing a parallel to the early 1930s. He views it as a homage to the right-wing extremist AfD politician Björn Höcke. Ramelow cautions that the AfD is a dangerous force in Thuringia and Saxony.
Bundestag Vice President Bodo Ramelow (Die Linke) warned in an interview with the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) about the AfD federal party congress on July 4 and 5 in Erfurt. „All of Germany must prepare for the federal party congress in Thuringia“, he said. Ramelow criticizes the choice of location as a homage to Björn Höcke, the Thuringian AfD party leader and former head of the officially dissolved „Flügel“. „This way, the party pays homage to Mr. Höcke and bows to the wing. The last remnant of bourgeois facade is disposed of. They go to the place where the party is already classified as confirmed right-wing extremist“, he explained.
Ramelow draws a historical parallel: „If you want to understand what happened in Berlin in 1933, you have to look at the 1924 state elections in Thuringia. That's when the door was opened. And long before 1933, Thuringia was the starting point for the formal transfer of power. Höcke, as a history teacher, knows this very well.“ After the Thuringian state election in February 1924, a minority government formed that was dependent on völkisch-national forces. Similarly, the Brombeer coalition of CDU, SPD, and BSW governs today without a majority and is supported by Die Linke on key issues like the budget.
Ramelow emphasizes the danger: „In Thuringia as in Saxony, the AfD is a relevant and dangerous force.“ With its blocking minority of more than one third of the seats, the AfD in Thuringia prevents the election of new judges and prosecutors. „Eventually, the rule of law will come to a standstill“, he warned.
