Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed

Bavaria leader refrains from dismissing 'antisemitic' deputy

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 4 Sep 2023 14:53
3 Min Read

Bavaria's leader, Markus Söder, opts not to remove his deputy, Hubert Aiwanger, amid a high-profile antisemitic leaflet scandal.

  • x
  • Bavaria leader refrains from dismissing deputy after news of Hubert Aiwanger's antisemitic pamphlet broke out.
    Free Voters leader and Bavaria State Economy Minister and deputy Bavaria State Premier Hubert Aiwanger speaks during a campaign rally near Munich, Germany on September 3, 2023. (AFP)

The Minister-President of the German state of Bavaria, Markus Söder, has made a decision not to dismiss his deputy, Hubert Aiwanger, despite a controversy surrounding an antisemitic leaflet that Aiwanger admitted to carrying in his school satchel during his teenage years.

This move comes as a relief to the ruling coalition in the southern state, just six weeks ahead of a regional election. Aiwanger, who leads the Free Voters party, a junior coalition partner to the Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU), had faced significant scrutiny and backlash over the discovery of Nazi pamphlets in his schoolbag dating back to the late 1980s.

Söder addressed the situation during a press conference, emphasizing that the decision was not taken lightly. He mentioned that Aiwanger had made regrettable mistakes in his youth but had since distanced himself from Nazis and offered apologies. Söder also noted that there was no evidence implicating Aiwanger in the creation or distribution of the leaflet, with Aiwanger's brother claiming to be the author.

However, Söder did not completely dismiss the issue, saying that Aiwanger should have apologized sooner and urged him to demonstrate further remorse regarding the scandal. Additionally, Söder expressed dissatisfaction with Aiwanger's written responses to a set of government questions on the matter.

Aiwanger, for his part, claimed to have been the target of a failed smear campaign.

The controversy surrounding the leaflet came to light following an investigation by the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, and Aiwanger's older brother later admitted to being the pamphlet's author, drawing some of the blame off of his sibling.

Related News

Germany must bolster military 'to be taken seriously,' says CSU leader

German politician says Ukrainians need to work, deport those who don't

Read more: Israeli expat in Berlin kicks out Ambassador from his store

Controversy opens the door for AfD breakthrough

Saskia Esken, co-leader of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), currently in opposition in Bavaria, emphasized on Monday the importance of maintaining the regional government's reputation, adding that the government should not fall into disrepute.

The decision to retain Aiwanger allows Söder to maintain the coalition government, formed in 2018 ahead of the regional election scheduled for October 8. Recent opinion polls indicate strong support for Söder at 39%, giving him a comfortable lead, with the Free Voters at around 12% in a competitive race against the quickly growing far-right AfD.

Söder dismissed speculation that he might switch partners and form a coalition with the Green party, asserting that there would be "definitely no black and green in Bavaria."

Critics, including German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, accused Söder of prioritizing political tactics over addressing the issue. Faeser asserted that Aiwanger had not convincingly apologized nor dispelled accusations, portraying himself as a victim.

"That Mr Söder allows this damages the reputation of our country," she added.

Read more: Germany mulls banning right-wing party AfD

  • CSU
  • CDU
  • Bavaria
  • Germany
  • Free Voters
  • anti-semitism
  • Hubert Aiwanger
  • Markus Söder

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS