German police have launched a criminal investigation after a local branch of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party distributed around 30,000 fake “deportation” tickets in the southwestern German city of Karlsruhe. did.
Designed to resemble a classic airplane boarding pass, the flyer advertises a one-way ticket from Germany to a “safe country of origin” for a passenger identified as an “illegal immigrant” on February 23. I am doing it. German federal election.
An AfD spokesperson in Karlsruhe confirmed that the initiative was part of the party’s local election campaign and said leaflets were being distributed to all voters.
Left-wing party says far-right AfD is “showing its true colors”
Politicians from the local branch of Germany’s Left Party said they were found in the mailbox of a Karlsruhe resident with an immigrant background. Leftist party officials said they would press charges of inciting hatred.
Sarah Milo, chair of the regional left party in Baden-Württemberg, where Karlsruhe is located, said the AfD was “showing its true colors” with the leaflet campaign. “They are dividing our society and spreading hatred,” she added.
Frank Mentrup, the mayor of Karlsruhe from the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), also said the AfD had crossed a red line, telling local public broadcaster SWR: “I would never have received such a note in my mailbox.” “When we discover something, the feeling of anxiety and fear intensifies,” he said.
In Berlin on Wednesday, a federal government spokesperson denounced the campaign as “in bad taste” but said any investigation would be the responsibility of the relevant authorities.
AfD “Immigration” ticket
The tickets, which can also be downloaded from AfD Karlsruhe’s official website, carried slogans such as “Home is fine” and “Only immigrants can save Germany.”
“Re-immigration” is a far-right concept popular in European ethno-nationalist circles that refers to forced or encouraged immigration. It also includes descendants of immigrants born in Europe who are not recognized by far-right groups. To be “ethnically” European, that is, to one’s ancestral homeland.
The concept was the topic of discussion presented by Austrian identitarian Martin Sellner at a secret conference of right-wing extremists held in Potsdam, near Berlin, in November 2023, with AfD members also present. News of the meeting sparked nationwide protests against the far right and saw some loss in support for the AfD, a loss that the party has already largely made up for.
German government says immigrants are essential for the economy
Federal Minister for the Interior Nancy Feather said: “The fact that the AfD clearly wants to expel people en masse under the word ‘immigrant’ not only shows its contempt for humanity, but also shows that it is committed to Germany as a business location. “It shows how much damage it can cause to people and destroy jobs.” Wednesday’s Line Post.
She pointed out that in Germany, about 25 million people, or about 30% of the population, have a migrant background.
“[Immigrants]have long been an integral part of our society, supporting the running of this country in many areas, including hospitals and nursing homes, businesses and industry. Their actions should be more respected. We should,” said member Feiser. S.P.D.
Net immigration to Germany declines
Meanwhile, net migration to Germany in 2023 fell by nearly 55%, and the number of asylum applications in 2024 fell by just over 30% compared to 2023, according to the latest report from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
The number of irregular border crossings outside the European Union also fell significantly in 2024, according to Frontex, the European Union’s border agency.
Despite this, the AfD remains in second place behind the center-right Christian Democratic Party (CDU) in opinion polls ahead of February’s general election.
However, as no Democratic party has announced their intention to form a coalition with the AfD, there is little chance that the AfD’s Alice Weidel will become prime minister, or even enter the government. Three of the party’s local branches, although not the one in Baden-Württemberg, are classified by domestic intelligence agencies as “right-wing extremists.”
MF/SMS (AP, DPA)
