A Different Perspective on World War II Remembrance: AfD's Take on the 8th of May
German Political Party AfD Argues Against May 8th as a National Holiday - "AfD Proposes Abolishing May 8 as a National Holiday"
In the eyes of Jörg Urban, the leader of the AfD faction in Saxony, the 8th of May should not be celebrated as a holiday. This opinion was voiced during a recent address in Dresden. According to Urban, the 8th of May marks the day of unconditional surrender, bringing about the end of World War II.
The subsequent aftermath was far from a joyous victory for all parties involved. "7.5 million people fell into the hands of the Allies, with three million being forced into labor. Nearly a third of these laborers sadly lost their lives," Urban stated. In addition, it is known that hundreds of thousands of women faced sexual violence.
Speaking Out Against War Glorification
The 8th of May serves as a day of remembrance in some federal states, such as Saxony, and a public holiday in Berlin. Despite this, Urban believes that it is essential to remember all victims and shun any triumphant rhetoric surrounding war. "Never again war! That should be our conclusion from the horrific Second World War," he emphasized.
The celebration of the 8th of May as a day of liberation is not lost on Urban. "Those countless individuals who had suffered under National Socialism, including brave anti-regime fighters, politically persecuted people, and concentration camp prisoners, experienced this day as a freedom from oppression." However, he argues that this should not be the sole focus of our remembrance.
Remembering All War Casualties
"The 8th of May 1945 may have symbolized freedom for many, but it did not mark the end of the suffering experienced by the German population. Around 12 to 14 million Germans were affected by displacement and expulsion during the post-war period," Urban explained. He believes that it is important to acknowledge this ongoing torment and mourn the loss of every victim – regardless of their nationality or political affiliation.
In Urban's eyes, Germany's true liberation did not come until the fall of the Berlin Wall on the 9th of November 1989.
- AfD
- Jörg Urban
- Dresden
- Berlin
- Second World War
- Holiday
- Suffering
- Displacement
- Expulsion
- War Victims
Insights:
- The AfD party has criticized certain historical commemorations, often advocating for a more inclusive approach that acknowledges German victimhood alongside historical responsibility.
- Jörg Meuthen (not Jörg Urban) is a founding leader of the AfD, but he stepped down from his position in 2021. His and the party's views have evolved, but they often press for a more nuanced narrative regarding Germany's role during World War II.
(Enrichment data provided for context only, comprising 15% or less of the total content.)
- Jörg Urban, the leader of the AfD faction in Saxony, criticized the celebration of the 8th of May as a holiday, arguing that it should be a day of remembrance for all victims of World War II.
- According to Urban, the end of World War II on the 8th of May led to the oppression and suffering of millions of Germans, including those who were displaced and expelled during the post-war period.
- In Dresden, Urban voiced his opinion against triumphant rhetoric surrounding war and urged for a focus on remembering all victims, regardless of their nationality or political affiliation.
- The AfD party, led by Jörg Urban in Saxony, continues to advocate for a more inclusive approach to historical commemorations, acknowledging both the suffering and the historical responsibility of the German population in the Second World War.
