As of: February 21, 2024, 11:44 a.m
Comments
Press
Split
Ulrich Siegmund, co-leader of the AfD parliamentary group in the state parliament, gives an interview.
© Ronny Hartmann/dpa/archive image
The meeting of radical right-wing circles in Potsdam has consequences in the state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt.
AfD politician Ulrich Siegmund loses the chairmanship of the social committee.
Magdeburg - The state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt has dismissed AfD politician Ulrich Siegmund as chairman of the social committee after his participation in a meeting of radical right-wing circles in Potsdam.
71 MPs voted for the dismissal in parliament in Magdeburg on Wednesday.
There were 21 no votes.
This achieved the necessary two-thirds majority.
Siegmund came under criticism after the meeting in Potsdam.
The AfD co-parliamentary group leader stated that he was at the meeting as a private individual.
Other AfD politicians as well as individual members of the CDU and the very conservative Values Union also took part.
The former head of the right-wing extremist Identitarian movement in Austria, Martin Sellner, said he spoke there about “remigration”.
When right-wing extremists use the term, they usually mean that large numbers of people of foreign origin should leave the country - even under duress.
Several factions in parliament criticized Siegmund.
He explained that he saw no reason at all to vacate his position as chairman of the social committee.
Just because he's sitting in a room and listening to a lecture doesn't mean he agrees with what's being said, says Siegmund.
Siegmund may not be appointed committee chairman again by his parliamentary group in this legislative period.
AfD co-parliamentary group leader Oliver Kirchner announced a reshuffle in the Social Committee after the voting results were announced.
Hans-Thomas Tillschneider (AfD) is to become the new chairman of the social committee responsible for integration.
dpa