Hagen Runoff: Candidates Clash on Security, Immigration, and Tolerance
Hagen, a pivotal battleground for the upcoming runoff election, saw a spirited campaign on Monday. Minister-President Hendrik Wüst addressed the crowd for over half an hour, while candidates Dennis Rehbein (CDU) and Michael Eiche (AfD) shared their views on safety and immigration news.
Rehbein, who secured 25% of the votes in the first round, proposed enhanced security measures like increased lighting, CCTV, patrols, and improved police cooperation to tackle safety concerns in Hagen's train station area. Eiche, who received 21%, blamed 'unlimited immigration' for the issue but offered no concrete solutions. Eiche's vision hinges on dire messages about immigration, while Rehbein has discussed poverty immigration from Southeast Europe in a TV talk show.
Rehbein refuses to work with the AfD, citing the party's tolerance of 'certain persons and positions'. Notably, an AfD district representative, Andreas Geitz, liked a Facebook comment advocating for a new concentration camp in Treblinka. Meanwhile, AfD's Michael Eiche feels unsafe in the train station area. The German domestic intelligence agency, Verfassungsschutz, has classified certain AfD representatives as right-wing extremist, though no specific Hagen candidates under surveillance are publicly known.
The runoff election in Hagen, scheduled for next Sunday, will focus on waste management and immigration. Rehbein's practical security proposals contrast with Eiche's grim immigration messages. The candidates' stances on cooperation and tolerance have also drawn attention, with Rehbein refusing to work with the AfD due to their stance on certain individuals and positions.
