Extreme-right AfD party wins its first mayoral election in Germany

AFD's Tim Lochner wins a mayorship

AFD's Tim Lochner wins a mayorship after winning the second round of voting in the 40,000 person town of Pirna in Lower Saxony. Screenshot/Mdr-Fehrnsehen

Tim Lochner

Prior to his election, Tim Lochner stands before an audience. The AfD, short for Alternative for Germany, was founded in 2013 and initially focused on opposition to the Euro and European Union policies, but it had a more extremist, nationalist agenda. Over time, it has evolved to include a range of positions, including an extreme anti-immigration stance. As you can see from banner on the podium, the AfD also had radical views on the COVID pandemic, which riled its growing base. Pirna TV Lokalfernsehen

Björn Höcke uses nationalistic rhetoric to incite a crowd. The AfD party often pits its opponents as traitors to Germany. They use nationalist rhetoric and hate-speech to incite a populist base. The German government's domestic investigations have shown that the party's extremist-right elements pose a danger to the Country. Some independent researchers of fascism and the rise of the far-right have even dubbed AfD a "neo-Nazi party." Of course, AfD denies this. Screengrab/DW

Björn Höcke marches with neo-Nazis in 2010

Björn Höcke, is probably the most notable member of Germany's AfD. He challenges claims that he is a Neo-Nazi, although there are videos of him marching with and joining actual Neo-Nazi demonstrations. He has cleaned-up his appearance since this time and it appears to be working as AfD earns the votes of populist crowds. Youtube

Höckner persuades a crowd against German policies regarding rememberance of the Holocaust

"This stupid policy is weighing us down today. We need to do a 180 degree turn on the policy of rememberance." An enraged Höckner persuades a crowd against German policies regarding rememberance of the Holocaust. He even uses the old SS-Nazi slogan "Everything for Germany," for which he has been indicted. He's not the only one in AfD with ties to Nazi ideology and practice. Youtube

Siegbert Droese also appears to have an affinity for Adolf Hilter

Former Bundestag member Siegbert Droese also appears to have an affinity for Adolf Hilter. His license plate is LAH1818. L, stands for Leipzig, yet the AH and 18's are known to be for the initials of Hitler and are commonly used by Neo-Nazis. 18 are the 1st and 8th letters of the alphabet. A and H. If you think this is just coincidence, continue on... AfD/Youtube

Here Siegbert Droese can be seen proudly standing in front of the ruins of one of Adolf Hitlers residences. Ok, anyone might be interested in visiting such a place for historical purposes. But do they stand in a pose with their hand over their heart. This is not just conspiracy suspicion. The German authorities and mainstream newspapers have been deeply entrenched in investigating the connections between AfD and neo-Nazism, as there appear to be many clear links between the party, its rhetoric, it's members, and their actions and allegiances.

Newly elected AfD's Tim Lochner accepts the mayorship of Pirna, as he wins the election. Over the last years, the right-wing extremist AfD has worked on making itself appear viable, giving itself a more human face to it's outrageous populist agenda, which riles up voters over nationalism, anti-refugee sentiment, anti-pandemic measures, anti-Europe, climate change denial, science skepticism, anti-LGBTQ and ties to known authoritarian and fascist leaders and groups. Pirna TV Lokalfernsehen