Maximilian Krah, a member of AfD, said not all Nazi SS members are criminals
This top German far-right politician said not all Nazi SS members are criminals and caused a huge controversy.
Top candidate of German right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party for the European election Maximilian Krah speaks during a campaign event for the upcoming European elections in Dresden, eastern Germany. Photo via Getty Images
Maximilian Krah, a top member of the far-right Alternative for Germany – or AfD – party told an Italian newspaper that he would “never say that everyone who wore an SS uniform was automatically a criminal”.
Maximilian Krah, AfD top candidate for the European elections, stands in the elevator in the Bundestag after a meeting with the AfD parliamentary group leadership. Photo via Getty Images
The Schutzstaffel – known as the SS – was the main paramilitary force of Adolf Hitler's Nazi party and played a major role in the Holocaust, which killed six million Jews and countless others during World War II.
His remarks sparked outrage, and Krah announced on Wednesday May 22 that he will stop campaigning and step down from the AfD’s senior leadership team.
Maximilian Krah, AfD lead candidate for the European elections, leaves after a press statement following the discussion with the AfD parliamentary group leadership at the time. Photo via Getty Images
Krah, who is the party’s top candidate in the European parliament elections in June, has maintained that his comments are “being misused” to harm the AfD.
A participant in the demonstration against the AfD party conference, the rally for diversity and human dignity, holds a sign reading "No No AfD". Photo via Getty Images
In response to his comments, France’s far-right party declared it will no longer work with the AfD.
Marine Le Pen, President of the National Rally group in the National Assembly of France, speaking during the "Europa Viva 24" conference organized by far right wing party Vox at Palacio de Vistalegre. Photo via Getty Images
The European parliament’s far-right political group then expelled the AfD, saying it no longer wants to be associated with the party.
Two participants hold signs reading: "FCK AFD" at a demonstration by the "EUre Wahl" initiative, "Fridays for Future Munich" and "Gemeinsam gegen Rechts München" on Marienplatz. Photo via Getty Images
The AfD had already caused a controversy among Europe’s far-right groups in January when it was revealed that it had held a secret meeting with neo-nazis to discuss a "master plan" to deport millions of refugees and immigrants, including those with citizenship, from Germany.
Photo via Getty Images
In April, one of Krah’s aides was arrested for allegedly spying for China.
A demonstrator wearing a mask of German far-right politician Maximilian Krah of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party holds a Chinese and a Russian flag and has a sign fixed on his chest reading "Alternative for Dictators" on April 27, 2024 in Donaueschingen, southern Germany. Photo via Getty Images
Krah himself is also being investigated for being an influencer for Russia and China and accepting payments from them for his work as a member of the European parliament.
Isha Jain
