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2 clusters · 5 sources · 3 days · First seen 16 days ago · Last updated 13 days ago

AfD candidate controversies in Germany

Overview

Controversies have emerged regarding the political eligibility and backgrounds of Alternative for Germany (AfD) candidates in various German states.

In Saxony-Anhalt, Frank-Ronald Bischoff, a former special operations officer for the Ministry for State Security (Stasi) between 1977 and 1989, is running as a direct candidate for the state parliament. Johannes Beleites, the state commissioner for the investigation of the SED dictatorship, called for Bischoff to withdraw, stating it would be ‘hardly bearable’ for a former full-time employee of the GDR state security service to represent the state. Federal Commissioner for Victims of the SED Dictatorship, Evelyn Zupke, also noted the situation is hurtful to victims of the former regime.

In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Sascha Gläser, who was convicted of bank robbery in 2012, is appearing on the ballot as a direct candidate. Although his criminal record did not appear on his official certificate of conduct, AfD co-state leader Enrico Schult expressed shock at the situation. Gläser has reportedly signaled he would waive his mandate if elected.

Entities

AfD · Mecklenburg-Vorpommern · Sachsen-Anhalt · Sascha Gläser · Bayern

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Under the German Criminal Code, a prison sentence of at least one year results in a five-year loss of eligibility for office or election. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.suedkurier.de
[● 2 SOURCES] Sascha Gläser is running as a direct candidate for the AfD in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.suedkurier.de
[● 2 SOURCES] AfD co-state leader Enrico Schult stated that Sascha Gläser has indicated he will waive his mandate if elected. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.suedkurier.de
[● 2 SOURCES] Gläser's candidacy in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is legal due to the expiration of the disqualification period. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.suedkurier.de

Timeline

13 days ago

[POLITICS] 3 sources
Sascha Gläser, former bank robber, runs for AfD in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Sascha Gläser, a former bank robber, is running for the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state parliament for the AfD. His candidacy is legal due to the expiration of his disqualification period.
16 days ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
Former Stasi officer runs for AfD in Saxony-Anhalt
Former Stasi officer Frank-Ronald Bischoff is running for the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt, prompting calls from German officials for him to withdraw his candidacy.

Sources

allgaeuer-zeitung.de · focus.de · mopo.de · sandrokappe.de · suedkurier.de