Holocaust Survivor Returns Award in Protest of German Parliament's Cooperation with Far-Right Party

A 99-year-old Holocaust survivor, Albrecht Weinberg, has decided to return his federal order of merit award to the German state in protest of a parliamentary vote that saw the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party provide crucial support. This vote marked the first time the AfD's votes were used to secure a majority in the Bundestag.

Weinberg, born to a Jewish family in 1925, endured the horrors of Nazi death camps at Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen during World War II. He was liberated on April 15, 1945, and later emigrated to the United States before returning to Germany 10 years ago. The memory of the Holocaust, where six million Jews were systematically murdered, weighs heavily on his decision.

Weinberg's protest aligns with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel's criticism of her own CDU party for cooperating with the AfD. Merkel expressed disapproval of CDU leader Friedrich Merz's decision to accept the AfD's support for the migration proposal, especially considering the AfD's strong showing in the upcoming German election.

This vote signifies a shift in German politics, potentially marking the end of Merkel's centrist legacy. The AfD, with its hardline nationalist stance on migration, is gaining mainstream legitimacy, as evidenced by their pivotal role in this recent vote.

The issue of immigration remains a contentious topic in Germany, particularly ahead of regional elections in Saxony and Thuringia, where anti-immigration parties like the AfD are expected to perform well. The influx of asylum seekers and Ukrainian refugees has further fueled the debate.