Brandenburg AfD Politician Faces Criticism for Sharing Antisemitic Content on Social Media

An elected representative from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Brandenburg has come under public scrutiny after sharing a social media post containing antisemitic imagery and rhetoric. The incident has led to official condemnation and legal action, with calls for the politician to step down from her public roles.

The politician, who holds positions in both the municipal council of Schwedt/Oder and the district council of Uckermark, reportedly shared a short video on a social platform. This video included material that indirectly defended the actions of Adolf Hitler and featured a caricature originally published in the Nazi-era propaganda outlet 'Der Stürmer.' Such imagery and narratives are widely recognized as antisemitic and contribute to the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes and conspiracy theories.

Upon learning of the post, the State Commissioner for Combating Antisemitism in Brandenburg, Andreas Büttner, responded by filing a criminal complaint. Büttner emphasized that the content of the video not only relied on longstanding antisemitic conspiracy narratives but also included symbols and messages that have historically served to dehumanize Jewish individuals and justify violence against them. He called for the immediate resignation of the politician from her municipal and district council positions, citing the serious nature of the offense and the responsibilities held by public officials to uphold democratic and inclusive values.

Following widespread criticism, the AfD politician removed the post and issued a public statement on social media. She explained that the content was originally shared in the context of discussions surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein case and claimed that she was unaware of the antisemitic elements at the time of posting. According to her statement, she took down the post immediately after being alerted to its offensive content and expressed a clear disassociation from the views and imagery depicted in the video.

This incident has reignited debate within Brandenburg and across Germany about the responsibilities of public officials in addressing and preventing the spread of antisemitic rhetoric. It also highlights the broader challenges faced by social media platforms in detecting and removing hate speech and extremist content before it can reach wider audiences.

Authorities and advocacy groups have underscored the importance of vigilance and proactive measures in combating antisemitism, particularly within political institutions. The case is currently under review by legal authorities following the criminal complaint. Public and political leaders continue to call for clear consequences and reinforced educational efforts to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The party involved has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the politician's future within its ranks. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for accountability and ethical standards in public life, especially regarding the dissemination of content that may contribute to discrimination or hatred.