The deputy premier of Bavaria, Hubert Aiwanger, is facing pressure to explain his involvement in an anti-Semitic pamphlet that resurfaced recently. Although he denies writing the Auschwitz-themed leaflet mocking the Holocaust, he admits to having it in his possession 35 years ago. The controversy has prompted conservative Premier Markus Söder to request a response from Aiwanger to 25 questions, emphasizing the need for transparency. This issue comes at a crucial time as Bavaria is preparing for key elections on October 8th. The state parliament has also demanded an emergency statement, highlighting the seriousness of the matter. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has joined the call for clarification, emphasizing the importance of vigilance when it comes to anti-Semitism.
Initially, Aiwanger dismissed the claims as a politically motivated media campaign against him. However, he later denied writing the leaflet, suggesting that someone else was responsible. The pamphlet, typed on a typewriter, featured a fictional competition to find the “biggest traitor to the Fatherland,” with the winner receiving a “free flight through the chimney in Auschwitz.” The existence of this leaflet, which undermines the suffering of millions of Jews during the Holocaust, is deeply disturbing.
Although Aiwanger conceded that he had one or several copies of the pamphlet in his schoolbag as a teenager, he could not recall if he had distributed them himself. He expressed disgust and condemned the content as inhumane. Aiwanger’s brother, Helmut Aiwanger, claimed to have written the leaflet, expressing regret for his actions and speculating that his brother was possibly attempting to gather up the leaflets to minimize harm. Curiously, there is no information available regarding any disciplinary procedures taken by the school following the discovery of the leaflets.
Germany, which criminalizes Holocaust denial, has strict legal ramifications against trivializing or making jokes about concentration camps. Aiwanger’s response to the controversy has been evasive, refusing to provide full disclosure or express repentance. Although not known for expressing anti-Semitic views, Aiwanger has been associated with far-right rhetoric, including talk of “taking back our country.” This association puts him under significant pressure from Bavaria’s premier, Markus Söder, who wishes to maintain a coalition with Aiwanger’s party but is frustrated by the timing of this scandal just weeks before the key elections.
The outcome of the Bavarian election will have a broader impact on German politics, with key votes in eastern German states next year and national elections in 2025. The rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) poses challenges for conservative parties such as Aiwanger’s Free Voters. Straying too far into nationalist territory risks alienating centrist voters, but some Bavarian conservatives believe that imitating the rhetoric of the far-right can counter the AfD’s popularity. Aiwanger’s political future is not the only point of scrutiny; the handling of the story by the newspaper, Süddeutsche Zeitung, has also faced criticism. The newspaper’s headline suggested that Aiwanger had written the pamphlet, despite his denial being hidden behind a paywall for subscribers to see.
The implications of this controversy reach beyond Bavaria, raising questions about the role of anti-Semitism in politics, the responsibility of politicians to confront or distance themselves from extremist rhetoric, and the importance of media transparency in reporting such stories. As the general secretary of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s party stated, conversations about anti-Semitism demand utmost vigilance and should not be casually dismissed or used for tactical purposes. The response to this situation will not only shape Aiwanger’s political career but could also influence the public perception of the Free Voters and the conservative Christian Social Union, potentially affecting coalition dynamics and future electoral strategies in Germany.
