AfD Proposes 'Pride Pass' to Connect Cultural Politics with German History

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is once again seeking to ignite cultural debates within Germany with a series of controversial proposals. The AfD parliamentary group in Saxony-Anhalt has announced plans to replace the state's marketing campaign slogan "#moderndenken" (think modern) with "#deutschdenken" (think German). In addition, they are advocating for the establishment of a 'Pride Pass' intended to promote a positive and respectful engagement with German history.

According to a proposal set to be discussed in the state parliament, the new slogan aims to serve as a distinctive emblem for Saxony-Anhalt. The AfD's local branch has been classified as "securely right-wing extremist" since November 2023, after previously being considered a group under suspicion.

The proposed campaign and slogan would be used to promote various tourist attractions and themes within the region. The 'Pride Pass' would function as a stamp card, offering discounts at historical sites. Additionally, awards would be given in fields such as history, art, philosophy, and literature to acknowledge contributions that reinforce or develop German identity. A logo featuring a downward-pointing German flag is also included in the proposal.

The AfD has previously made attempts to intertwine cultural policy with German history. Recently, the party has called for the creation of a 'Street of the German Empire,' designed to connect significant cultural heritage sites from the 10th to the 16th centuries, similar to the established Romanesque Road.

In a separate proposal from October 2024, the AfD criticized the UNESCO World Heritage site Bauhaus, labeling it a "misguided path of modernity."

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Culture responded to inquiries from the press, stating that the state government currently has no plans to alter the "#moderndenken" campaign, which honors significant ideas that have emerged in Saxony-Anhalt over the centuries while promoting UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The AfD's proposals have faced sharp criticism from other political factions within the Saxony-Anhalt parliament. The leader of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), Andreas Silbersack, argued that the AfD aims to elevate "German nationalism" through its initiatives, suggesting that the 'Pride Pass' is nonsensical. Similarly, Guido Heuer, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), expressed intentions to reject the proposal in parliament.

Greens parliamentary leader Cornelia Lüddemann questioned the rationale behind prioritizing "thinking German" over "thinking modern," labeling the entire initiative as "very peculiar." The Left Party has voiced similar concerns regarding the AfD's plans.