Memorial Sites Urge Voters to Reject AfD Ahead of Elections

In a significant pre-election statement, the association representing various memorial sites dedicated to former concentration camps in Germany has issued a strong warning against voting for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. With the national elections approaching, the directors of eight federally supported memorials are urging citizens to cast their votes in favor of preserving democracy and human rights.

The call to action emphasizes the necessity of social cohesion and the protection of a critical historical narrative in light of a noticeable shift towards right-wing politics. The appeal, released by the Hamburg Foundation for Memorials and Learning Sites, points out that authoritarian and revisionist movements in many countries have exploited their political space to gradually undermine democratic values, curtail fundamental rights, and restrict access to education and scientific inquiry.

It is noted that in Germany, the AfD has been a significant source of these dangerous trends for several years. The memorial sites contend that there is no room for neutrality when it comes to defending democratic principles and engaging critically with the atrocities of the Nazi regime, as well as honoring its victims.

"Turning a blind eye is not an option, as the future of our democracy concerns us all," the statement underscores. Among the signatories of this appeal are leaders from prominent memorials such as Bergen-Belsen, Buchenwald, Sachsenhausen, Dachau, Flossenbürg, Mittelbau-Dora, Neuengamme, and Ravensbrück.

The statement serves as a clarion call for voters to reflect on the implications of their choices at the ballot box, stressing that the preservation of democratic values and a commitment to historical truth are at stake.