“A Nazi Party”: Sager in “ZiB 2” has consequences

In an interview with moderator Armin Wolf, the 62-year-old made a comparison between the AfD and Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels. “In 1935, Goebbels gave a speech about the stupidity of democracy, because at the time it gave the NSDAP all the means to abolish it itself,” says Esken. And added: “We will not be willing to give the AfD the means to abolish democracy.”

Esken: “Yes. This is a Nazi party”
Wolf asked: “Are you now comparing the AfD with Goebbels?” Esken promptly replied: “Yes. That is a Nazi party.” Wolf asked, somewhat surprised: “Don’t you think that is extremely exaggerated?” Esken: “No, because nationalist thinking is similar, as is the attempt to undermine democracy,” said the SPD leader.

“Human attitude”
There are also “misanthropic attitudes towards all kinds of groups in our society” in the AfD. “These are serious threats to our democracy that we must get rid of.”

Wolf countered that no one in the AfD proposed the construction of concentration camps and the abolition of democracy. Esken responded: “The AfD clearly has anti-constitutional efforts that aim to destroy our democracy. I’m convinced of that.”

The SPD leader emphasized that a substantive debate with the AfD is important. “We must make it very clear that she is not on the side of the ordinary people, the little people, the workers, as she claims. It is a rich elite party.” The AfD would commit “economic madness” by leaving the EU and leaving migrants in the country.

Ban trial against AfD?
In addition to the political struggle, there are also “means for the rule of law,” the SPD leader added. The AfD’s financial flows must be dried up and its ties to banned organizations must be revealed. And if the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution discovers anti-constitutional efforts in the AfD, a party ban procedure should also be initiated.

SPD in low polls
Esken attributed the fact that the party is still as strong as the SPD in surveys to ‘several crises’ that stirred society, such as the Corona crisis and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. At the same time, there are many upheavals, such as the transformation to climate neutrality. “This is a serious source of uncertainty for the population. And the false answers, the simple answers, the scapegoats that the AfD has to offer are an excuse for many.”

Hot discussion about Esken-Sager
Your claim that the AfD is a Nazi party is now being hotly debated on social media. Some users showed understanding for the SPD leader. “She is right. Kissing and understanding were yesterday. Anyone who votes for the AfD consciously votes for right-wing extremists. Not because he is FOR democracy, but AGAINST,” wrote one user.

Others, however, sharply criticized and demanded consequences. “What the SPD chairman said is abysmal insolence and must have criminal consequences. If it goes against the AfD, they will probably lose all inhibitions,” wrote another user.

A complaint was filed against Esken
A complaint has already been filed against Esken with the Viennese public prosecutor’s office for trivializing the crimes of National Socialism.

Wolf: “Right-wing extremist aggro tweets”
And ORF presenter Armin Wolf? He mainly complained about the manners on X (formerly Twitter). “Sapperlot, it’s a hassle if you end up in German troll bubbles with something like that. There are always so many… I’ve been drowning in right-wing extremist aggro tweets since this morning and can barely keep up with blocking them. And so many German flags…’ he wrote.

He also criticized the rules on X: “I’m reporting a tweet that openly denies the Holocaust. Twitter/X: “… we have decided that… there are no violations of the X rules.” Then finally adjust your rules to a minimum level of civilization!