Maintains the mandate granted by the Landtag in their birthright
In a significant turn of events, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in Germany has called for Daniel Born, the state chairman, to resign from his party positions and withdraw completely from the Baden-Württemberg state parliament.
The decision comes after an incident where Born drew a swastika, a symbol deeply offensive and considered a criminal offense in Germany, on a ballot next to the name of an Alternative for Germany (AfD) party member during a vote. The act, widely regarded as a grave error and a serious breach of parliamentary dignity, has caused major damage to the reputation and dignity of the democratic institution.
Born, who is currently fifth on the SPD list for the 2026 state election, initially expressed concern about his familiarity with the AfD. He later spoke of a "momentary lapse of reason" and resigned as deputy president of the state parliament. However, the SPD believes that his actions warrant more than just relinquishing leadership roles.
The SPD's call for Born's complete withdrawal stems from the severity of the symbolic offense, the damage done to the parliament's dignity, and the need to maintain trust in their democratic institutions after this incident. The swastika, a symbol of Nazi Germany, is not only deeply offensive but also evokes painful memories of Germany's dark past.
The incident has sparked public outrage and calls for accountability beyond just relinquishing leadership roles, reflecting the sensitivity around Nazi symbolism in German politics and the expectation that representatives uphold democratic values without resorting to such forms of protest or defacement.
It's worth noting that the RTL/ntv-Trendbarometer shows a drop in the Union to the level of the AfD, and the Left Party ties with the Greens. This political climate may have contributed to the heightened sensitivity surrounding the incident.
As the situation unfolds, the SPD and the Baden-Württemberg state parliament will continue to grapple with the implications of Born's actions and the path forward for maintaining the integrity and dignity of democratic institutions.
- The Commission, in the midst of deliberations on the draft budget, has also been consulted on the implications of the swastika incident involving Daniel Born, which has caused significant damage to the reputation and dignity of the Baden-Württemberg state parliament.
- The incident, beyond politics and general news, has also raised concerns in the realm of crime and justice, as it involves a criminal offense and a breach of parliamentary ethics.
