The Bavarian prime minister, the conservative Markus Söder, today refused to part with his deputy prime minister and head of economy for the southern “Land”, Hubert Aiwanger, embroiled in a scandal over an anti-Semitic pamphlet that has been shaking Germany for a week.
At a press conference in Munich, Söder stated that a dismissal would be a disproportionate response to the situation and that Aiwanger has apologized “late, but not too late.” “The matter is closed,” said the Bavarian head of government, who faces regional elections on October 8, in which it hopes to revive the coalition between the Christian Social Union (CSU) and the Free Voters (FW) led by Aiwanger. According to an investigation published a week ago by the newspaper “Süddeutsche Zeitung” During his time as a high school student, Aiwanger wrote an anti-Semitic pamphlet that was found in his backpack and for which he was punished to give a presentation on the Third Reich.
The crudeness of the pamphlet, which called for a contest to determine who was the greatest traitor to Germany and offered as the “first prize” a free flight through the chimneys of Auschwitz or a stay in perpetuity in a mass grave, has caused outrage. in Germany.
Aiwanger denied being the author, and soon after his older brother claimed that he had written it. Söder, this Sunday, pointed out that it could not be proven with certainty that the editor had been his political ally. However, the Bavarian deputy prime minister’s version of the events presents inconsistencies and in the course of the scandal more details have emerged about his alleged phil-Nazi tendencies in his school days, which have been witnessed by former classmates and teachers.
In his defense, Aiwanger has denounced being the victim of a “witch hunt” and has assured that at least “since adulthood” he is not anti-Semitic, categorically rejecting a resignation. The Free Voters, a liberal-conservative group that in the last Bavarian elections obtained 11.6% of the votes, has closed ranks around its boss, so it is speculated that Söder cannot dismiss Aiwanger if he wants to maintain hope. to reissue the coalition.
Based on the polls, it is expected that the CSU will need a partner to form a Government and apart from FW the Greens would be the only option available -beyond the extreme right, which is excluded due to the cordon sanitaire-, but Söder has so far rejected emphatically an alliance with them.
