Can a mock Holocaust pamphlet written 36 years ago bring down a political career? In Germany, a country traumatized by its tragic past, maybe so. That is the fear they have in the Bavarian Government.

Bavaria is one of the most important federal states in Germany, being the second most populous and representing 20% ??of the German GDP. There, the head of the Executive’s Economy, Hubert Aiwanger, is fighting these days for his political life due to stories from his past.

He was barely 17 years old when, according to what the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper has published, a brochure appeared among his school things that copied the logic of a contest. “Who is the biggest traitor to the homeland?” the document asked. The winner of the contest was promised “a free shot in the back of the head”, “a free flight down the chimney of Auschwitz” or “a year’s stay at Dachau”.

Those “awards” allude to Auschwitz and Dachau. The first was a Nazi death camp where an estimated 1.5 million people died. 90% were Jews. In the Dachau concentration camp, located near Munich, the Bavarian capital, it is estimated that more than 30,000 prisoners died.

The brochure, typed, came to light at the time because a copy appeared in the bathrooms of the Burkhart Institute in the municipality of Mallersdorf-Pfaffenberg, where Hubert attended the 1987/1988 school year. That year, Hubert was in the 11th class – equivalent to the 1st of the Spanish Baccalaureate. He shared a class with his brother Helmut, repeater. Helmut has taken responsibility for writing the brochure.

Helmut Aiwanger says that his behavior was due to the fact that in those days he was “angry” for repeating and seeing his friends pass the year. Helmut’s confession has not put peace. On the contrary.

Hubert Aiwanger, responsible for the Economy as well as Vice President of Bavaria and leader of the Free Voters party, now raises his voice to denounce a “dirty campaign” against him in which, in addition to the brochure, other school memorabilia that tarnishes the image of his youth.

For example, it has also been news that a classmate from Aiwanger remembers how the now public official often carried a copy of “My Struggle”, the famous book by Adolf Hitler, in his backpack. The public radio-television ARD has found another testimony according to which the young Aiwanger liked to imitate Hitler. Also, he would once have given the Nazi salute in class and told anti-Semitic jokes.

Apparently, at the time, the police did not want to know anything. Aiwanger, in any case, has been forced to apologize. “Statements have been made that give the impression that I was a misanthrope. I am deeply sorry if I have hurt feelings by my behaviour,” Aiwanger said in televised remarks on Thursday.

A day before, the Bavarian was put under pressure by the German government, meeting at the Meseberg Palace to deal with the economic crisis. “Everything that has been known so far is very shocking. It is clear that all this has to be clarified,” said Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Aiwanger has also described the brochure in question as “disgusting and inhumane”. But for him, that pamphlet may be cursed. His political rivals call for his resignation.

His boss, Markus Söder, president of Bavaria and leader of the government’s Christian Social Union (CSU), has urged Aiwanger to answer 25 questions about the brochure. “The brochure is inhumane, frankly disgusting,” according to Söder.

The CSU has governed Bavaria since 1957. In the last elections there, held in 2018, the CSU clearly prevailed (37.2%) but Söder needed Aiwanger and some Free Voters who had never received so much support (11.6%) .

In five weeks new elections are held in Bavaria. Before Aiwanger’s past was made public, it was thought that the CSU and Free Electors would recast the governing coalition. That is not so clear anymore.