Outrage Following Union Vote: Holocaust Survivor to Return Honorary Award

The recent voting incident in the German Bundestag has sparked significant outrage, particularly among those who have experienced the horrors of the Holocaust. A prominent Holocaust survivor has announced plans to return his honorary award in response to this event.

In an unprecedented move, a proposal concerning a five-point plan from the CDU/CSU aimed at tightening migration policies garnered support from the far-right AfD party. This situation marked the first time a parliamentary proposal received a majority vote through the collaboration with a party noted for its extremist views. Friedrich Merz, the CDU's candidate for Chancellor, consciously accepted the AfD's backing, igniting widespread criticism from opposition parties including the SPD, the Greens, and the Left. Even former Chancellor Angela Merkel has voiced her disapproval of the decision.

Albrecht Weinberg, a 99-year-old Holocaust survivor from Leer in East Frisia, expressed his deep disappointment over the Bundestag's decision. His wife confirmed that he intends to return his Federal Cross of Merit, stating that the vote has profoundly affected them. Weinberg, who survived three concentration camps--Auschwitz, Mittelbau-Dora, and Bergen-Belsen--and numerous death marches, has dedicated his life to educating students about his experiences. He has been active in schools for the past decade, sharing the lessons from his past and warning about the potential resurgence of extremist ideologies.

Reflecting on his recent feelings, Weinberg remarked on the heavy burden of having to witness such developments. He emphasized the importance of educating young people about the realities of history, particularly the consequences of letting oppressive forces gain power.

Weinberg's decision to return his award aligns him with Luigi Toscano, a photographer known for his poignant portraits of Holocaust survivors, who also recently renounced his own honor in protest against the political climate. Toscano criticized the current state of democracy in Germany, questioning the commitment of democratic leaders to uphold the values they profess to defend. He pointed out the troubling implications of collaborating with the AfD and the erosion of democratic principles.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, various political figures have voiced their concerns. Some members of the CDU have chosen to abstain from votes tied to the migration plan, while others express frustration over the normalization of the AfD's influence within mainstream politics. The implications of this cooperation could have lasting effects on Germany's political integrity and the safeguarding of democratic values.