Alliance of AfD with Free Saxony formed
In a move that could have significant implications for the political landscape in Leipzig, Jürgen Günter Butz, a former member of the neo-Nazi party 'Freie Sachsen,' has joined the AfD faction in the city council.
Butz, who was previously an independent member in the council, received 908 votes, the second-highest number of votes for any 'Free Saxony' candidate, in the June 2024 elections. His election marked the first time a member of the neo-Nazi party had been elected to the Leipzig city council.
The AfD now has 13 members in the council, surpassing the Left Party. However, the growth from 12 to 13 members is unlikely to significantly change the committee distribution.
'Free Saxony' initially gained a following in social media, with tens of thousands of people joining their resistance against corona policies. The group, which has been described by the Saxon Office for the Protection of the Constitution as a 'grouping of neo-national socialists,' has only existed for four years.
The party adopted positions from the 'Querdenken' movement, but often in a more radical form. They later focused on the asylum policy, calling for protests against accommodations.
The AfD's official alignment with a city council member from the neo-Nazi party could potentially shake up the committee distribution in Saxony's largest city. This move may also force the CDU and BSW to reconsider their strategy in dealing with the AfD, as they have been regularly granting votes to right-wing extremists.
The complex electoral system resulted in Butz being the only 'Free Saxon' elected to the city council, despite finishing in second place. Prior to his joining the AfD, Butz had been present in the council as an independent, with no notable speeches attributed to him.
The CDU and BSW may face new questions due to their past consistent voting for AfD proposals. This latest development could further strain relations between these factions and the AfD, potentially leading to a more polarised political climate in Leipzig.
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