Dairy tycoon Theo Müller Chats with AfD Leader Alice Weidel
In a recent development, Theo Müller, entrepreneur behind Müllermilch, confirmed his meetup with AfD leader Alice Weidel. The revelation was made during an interview with Handelsblatt on Thursday. As per Handelsblatt's reporting, the AfD leader herself confirmed the meeting that happened a few weeks ago in a lavish restaurant in Cannes, France.
"Just Friends": Müller Talks about Meeting with AfD Leader Weidel
During the interview, Müller shared that this was not the first time they had met. Another get-together between the two is also planned for the year's end. Müller mentioned that his chat with Alice Weidel was primarily about understanding the AfD's agenda and Weidel's views on current politics. He found no hint of Nazi ideology during their discussion, asserting that such an ideology was unacceptable for him.
Müller Specifies: No Financial Support to AfD
Addressing the question of financial aid to AfD, Müller clarified that neither he nor his company has donated to the party. The spokesperson for Weidel also confirmed that the party has not received any donation from Müller or his team. Müller's explanation was clear: the encounter was purely personal, without any political motives.
AfD Under Scrutiny Due to Right-wing Extremism Allegations
Being under the watchful eye of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in several German states, the AfD has faced numerous allegations of right-wing extremism. In some areas like Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, the AfD is classified as extremist.
Müllermilch and Allegations of Right-wing Affiliations
Rumors about Theo Müller's right-wing leanings surfaced in the late 1980s, sparked by Müller's supposed willingness to provide financial aid to the up-and-coming Republikaner party. Although the details of this alleged conversation were never fully verified, Müller's business was accused of supporting the extreme-right NPD party. However, Müller repeatedly denied these allegations.
It is worth noting that Müller has donated to other political parties in Germany. In 2005, he contributed 20,000 euros to the CDU, his current party of affiliation in Germany.
Luxury Living and Tax Controversies
Müller's riches and sometimes controversial lifestyle have also caused controversy. He is known to live in Switzerland to avoid paying hefty tax liabilities, which amounted to an estimated 200 million euros if he had left the company for his children. The allegations about Müller's wealth reached over 4.5 billion euros have further stirred debate.
Sources: AFP, "Die Zeit," "taz", "Neues Deutschland", "Handelsblatt"
Enrichment Insights:
Despite the numerous allegations, comprehensive records on Theo Müller's involvement with extreme right-wing parties like Republikaner and NPD are hard to find. However, it is known that members of the economic elite in Germany often donate to political parties to maintain their political influence. In this case, Müller's relationship with the AfD might stem from the same desire to keep an eye on political developments. However, the evidence supporting this claim remains sparse.
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