Private sponsorship by AfD politician Berndt for the city festival sparks criticism from the SPD party
In the small town of Golßen, a town festival scheduled for August 8th and 9th is making headlines due to the private sponsorship of AfD politician Hans-Christoph Berndt. Berndt, who has been classified as right-wing extremist by the constitutional protection, has defended his donation, stating it was made as a citizen for the town's festival.
The decision by Berndt to sponsor the festival has raised significant concerns, as it is uncommon for those classified as right-wing extremists by constitutional bodies to be directly involved in organizing public events. This sponsorship could potentially promote extremist ideologies under the guise of community engagement, increase polarization, and challenge democratic norms.
Golßen, reportedly facing financial distress, has several other companies as sponsors of the festival. However, Berndt's involvement has sparked debate about the implications of such sponsorships, particularly in democratic states vigilant against extremist threats.
The honorary mayor of Golßen, Andrea Schulz (Independent Citizens' List), finds it sad that the town festival is being politicized due to Berndt's donation. She has invited everyone to support the festival, emphasizing that no party has donated to the event; it is a private donation.
Berndt views the criticism as exclusionary, stating that his critics do not want him to be part of the festival. He denies wanting to instrumentalize the festival and rejects the accusation.
The AfD state association was classified as right-wing extremist by the constitutional protection this year, a classification that the party has legally challenged. The main procedure of the lawsuit is still ongoing, and the interior ministry plans to publish the reasons for the classification on August 14th.
The SPD state parliament deputy faction leader, Nadine Graßmel, has previously stated that the festival should be a place for togetherness and not for political instrumentalization by right-wing extremists.
As the festival in Golßen approaches, the controversy surrounding Berndt's sponsorship continues to spark debate and concern within the community and beyond.
- The ongoing controversy over Berndt's sponsorship of the Golßen town festival has brought policy-and-legislation into conversation, as debates ensue about the implications of direct involvement in public events by those classified as right-wing extremists.
- The sponsorship by AfD politician Hans-Christoph Berndt, who has been classified as right-wing extremist by the constitutional protection, has raised questions about the role of politics in general-news events like town festivals, particularly when it comes to potential promotion of extremist ideologies.
