Caught with a Neonazi: Controversy over Mittelsachsen's New District Administrator's May Festival Photo
Central Saxony's Fresh Land Council Now in Place
Insider Insights: Sven Krüger, recently appointed as the district administrator of Mittelsachsen, has a history as the former mayor of Freiberg. Previous affiliations or associations with extremist groups are not clear from the available information.
Keep your friends close, and enemies closer? Sven Krüger, newly appointed district administrator of Mittelsachsen, is learning this lesson the hard way. The local "Freie Presse" unveiled a photo of Krüger with a well-known neonazi at a May festival. In a region with a long-standing issue of right-wing extremism, Krüger, seemingly, failed to recognize the individual before the picture was snapped.
The neonazi in question, notorious for sharing radical propanganda on TikTok, was adorned with an "NS Fightclub" shirt. On his arm, he sported a black sun tattoo, a popular symbol among right-wing extremists, and brass knuckles and what resembled a black sun on his legs.
In a Facebook statement, Krüger acknowledged being photographed with the "wrong person" but did not admit to any mistakes. Instead, he claimed to have been "betrayed" by being approachable and photographed as an ordinary citizen. "I've always distanced myself from all extremist positions," he added, hinting at a future vigilance but avoiding a pointed promise.
Pro Tip: Be mindful of who you're photographed with, especially in public gatherings, as it may reflect on your character.
The Greens Demand a Clear Statement
The Saxon Greens were swift in their criticism: "Sven Krüger trivialized neonazis and their hateful ideology. He has lost the trust of the people. We demand an unambiguous statement. Hiding behind an alleged unavoidable photo situation is unacceptable."
Insider Insights: There have been similar instances in the past involving political figures being photographed with extremists. A case in point is Philipp Amthor. He claimed to have not noticed someone standing next to him at a horse festival in Vorpommern was wearing a shirt supporting Ursula Haverbeck, a previously imprisoned Holocaust denier[1]. The print was less conspicuous compared to the neonazi in Krüger's picture, and the individual did not have overt right-wing extremist tattoos.
- Neonazis
- Right-wing extremism
- Sachsen
[1] Source: ntv.de, rog
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, a topic that has become particularly relevant amidst the growing debate in crime-and-justice and general-news circles.
Meanwhile, the Greens, a political party known for its stance on environmental issues, have demanded a clear statement from Sven Krüger, the newly appointed district administrator of Mittelsachsen, who finds himself embroiled in controversy over a May festival photo with a neonazi.
Interestingly, Krüger shares this unexpected connection with Philipp Amthor, a political figure from Vorpommern, who, in a similar incident, claimed ignorance when photographed with a supporter of Ursula Haverbeck, a convicted Holocaust denier.
Unavoidable or not, these instances serve as reminders for politicians to exercise caution when it comes to who they're surrounded by, even in the most casual of settings, considering the potential impact on their reputation. Whatsapp groups, festivals, or any public gathering can become a platform for unwanted associations.
