As of: March 10, 2024, 10:52 a.m
By: Peter Sieben
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Bodo Ramelow accuses AfD state leader Björn Höcke of dishonorable behavior: “I can’t shake hands with someone who wants to destroy democracy.”
Erfurt - Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (Die Linke) has categorically ruled out a TV duel with the state chairman of the AfD, Björn Höcke.
In April, Thuringia's CDU chairman Mario Voigt wants to discuss things with Höcke on television.
That's out of the question for him, said Ramelow in an interview with
IPPEN.MEDIA
.
“I find the word duel strangely martial.
But if you want to use this image: In the past, when it came to duels, it was assumed that the duelists were both honorable people.
But that cannot be said about Mr. Höcke.”
Bodo Ramelow about AfD man Björn Höcke: “He abused a prime ministerial election”
That's why he refused to shake his hand four years ago after he was elected prime minister: "I can't shake hands with someone who wants to destroy democracy.
“He abused a prime ministerial election to set a trap,” said Ramelow, alluding to the 2020 government crisis in the Thuringian state parliament.
At that time, the FDP politician Thomas Kemmerich was surprisingly elected Prime Minister for a short time with votes from the CDU, FDP and AfD - a breach of a taboo that was criticized nationally and internationally.
Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow.
© Peter Sieben
“That was a contempt for our election regulations.
If he had wanted to, Mr. Höcke could have ensured in recent years that the Thuringian AfD was committed to democracy and its institutions.
But no, he didn’t do it,” said Ramelow.
“I won't be able to avoid meeting him at top discussions.
But not any more.
I still won’t shake his hand.”
Björn Höcke is changing his constituency: “And he will get support from right-wing radicals from the Nazi milieu.”
Björn Höcke recently changed his constituency.
Instead of in Eichsfeld, where he lives, he wants to run for the state election in the Greiz II constituency, where he apparently thinks he has better chances.
This causes discomfort and safety concerns there.
“Höcke will deliver an election campaign with AfD people who are active nationwide,” said left-wing politician Leon Walter, who is running for his party in Greiz.
“And he will get support from right-wing extremists from the Nazi milieu, which is very strong here.”