Let's Talk About World War II Remembrance Day and the AfD's Take on It
"AFD Argues Against the Observance of May 8th as a National Holiday" - "AFD Proposes Discouraging May 8 as a Nationwide Holiday"
So, here's the scoop. Germany's AfD party, particularly Jörg Urban, thinks we shouldn't turn May 8th into a national holiday for World War II Remembrance. Dresden was the city where he expressed his thoughts, pointing out that it was also the day of unconditional surrender. He mentioned that 7.5 million people ended up in Allied captivity, three million of whom were forced to work, and a third of those laborers didn't make it out alive. Notably, hundreds of thousands of women were brutally raped as well.
Now, what makes this guy tick? He's all about putting an end to talk of wars. His belief is that the 8th of May should be a day of remembrance, not a celebration, and this sentiment exists in some federal states like Saxony and Berlin. He brought up the famous phrase "Never again war!", stating that it's a lesson we should forever remember from the horrific Second World War.
Urban believes that the 8th of May in 1945 was a liberation day for millions who suffered under the dark regime of National Socialism. Specifically, he spoke of those who bravely opposed the regime, politically persecuted individuals at the time, and, of course, the freed concentration camp prisoners. The inhumane Nazi regime is responsible for countless deaths, a fact that Urban didn't mince words in acknowledging.
The AfD wants to remember all war victims, according to Urban. He expressed that we should remember the suffering of the 12 to 14 million Germans affected by flight and expulsion. He closed by stating that we should mourn all victims without exception, emphasizing that the true liberation of Germany occurred on November 9th, 1989.
Now, here's where things get interesting. The AfD, with figures like Jörg Meuthen, tends to harbor some key concerns about commemorating May 8th as a national holiday. They argue that focusing solely on guilt can hurt national identity and morale. They're also worried about the economic impact of introducing new holidays, fearing it could negatively affect businesses and the economy.
The party is leery of the political symbolism behind celebrating May 8th as an Allied victory over Nazi Germany. They might see this as promoting an anti-national or overly self-critical stance. Plus, there's the argument for maintaining traditional celebrations rather than introducing what they perceive as politically charged new ones.
Remember, these ideas aren't universally shared within or outside the party, and opinions may differ among members. But hey, the world of politics is a complex beast, and the AfD is no exception!
- Jörg Urban, a member of Germany's AfD party, is advocating against turning May 8th into a national holiday for World War II Remembrance, particularly in Saxony and Berlin, emphasizing that it should be a day of remembrance, not celebration.
- Urban highlights the significant number of people who ended up in Allied captivity, with three million forced to work, a third of whom didn't survive, and he also mentions the brutal rapes of hundreds of thousands of women.
- Urban believes that the 8th of May in 1945 was a liberation day for those who opposed the Nazi regime, were politically persecuted, and the freed concentration camp prisoners. He also argues for remembering all war victims, including the 12 to 14 million Germans affected by flight and expulsion.
- The AfD, with figures like Jörg Meuthen, has concerns about commemorating May 8th as a national holiday, fearing it could negatively impact national identity and morale, and potentially have a detrimental effect on businesses and the economy.
- The party is wary of the political symbolism behind celebrating May 8th as an Allied victory over Nazi Germany, and they might see this as promoting an anti-national or overly self-critical stance, preferring to maintain traditional celebrations instead.
