Steffen Quasebarth Hops onto the AfD Podcast Wave
Baden-Württemberg Politicians Featured in Podcast by Thuringia's AfD Faction - Thuringian right-wing political faction, AfD, and its affiliations
Hey there! Here's a hot scoop about Thuringian politics that's been causing quite a stir. Steffen Quasebarth, the Vice-President of the State Parliament and a representative of the BSW, was invited to appear on a podcast by the Thuringian AfD fraction—an initially unheard move for guest appearances in their shows, as per AfD MP Stefan Möller himself. The episode is titled "High Five! - Breaking through the barrier with Steffen Quasebarth". It's worth noting that the Thuringian AfD is labeled as a right-wing extremist party and is under observation by the state's Office for the Protection of the Constitution. Möller is the co-chair of the AfD state association alongside Björn Höcke.
Quasebarth’s attempt to charm AfD voters
Now, here's the real tea. Quasebarth admitted to the German Press Agency that he's not speaking for the AfD higher-ups, but rather conversing with their voters. According to him, it's crucial to engage in dialogue to reach these disenchanted souls. "Some might question the wisdom behind making a guest appearance on an AfD podcast, but my intention is clear—I'm here to fight for those who've found solace in the AfD due to frustration," he said.
The conversation delved into diverse topics like Quasebarth's political voyage, the media, election numbers, and racism. Quasebarth used to be a renowned MDR moderator for several years before joining the Alliance.
On the race card
Möller mentioned on the podcast that society tends to label AfD politicians as racist. Quasebarth disagreed, "I've seen this happen, and sometimes I believe AfD politicians contribute to it themselves. I find it dangerous." Later on, Quasebarth expressed his concerns about fostering a fundamental distrust in society, stating that it is crucial not to fan the flames too high. "Stirring up this mistrust is harmful to our society. And honestly, some of your party's methods can be dangerous because they do this to maintain their own power base," Quasebarth said.
All in all, Quasebarth's presence on the podcast isn't necessarily indicative of a BSW political shift. Instead, it suggests an effort to connect with dismayed voters rather than shifting the party's stance. However, critics, such as SPD leader Georg Maier, see it as a naive act towards the AfD's anti-democratic positions. The conversation touched upon Quasebarth's political background, media relations, election numbers, and racism. Still, the controversy surrounding his podcast appearance seems more like an attempt to reach out than a strategic move to align with the AfD.
* Stefan Möller* Erfurt* Björn Höcke* Chairman
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. This unexpected move by Quasebarth, a prominent politician, comes after his appearance on the AfD podcast in Erfurt, where he engaged in dialogue with disenchanted voters. Despite concerns from critics such as Georg Maier, Quasebarth's podcast appearance appears to be an attempt to reach out, rather than align with the AfD's controversial positions, similar to Stefan Möller and Björn Höcke, the co-chairs of the AfD state association in Thuringia.
