Key facts
- Martin Reichardt, AfD chairman for Saxony-Anhalt, is under scrutiny following the emergence of a photograph that appears to show him making a Nazi salute.
- Reichardt denies the gesture was a Nazi salute, claiming it was part of a joke during a 'knighting ceremony'.
- The incident occurs as the AfD leads in polls ahead of key state elections in eastern Germany.
- Public displays of Nazi symbols and gestures are illegal in Germany.
- Another AfD lawmaker, Matthias Moosdorf, is facing criminal charges for allegedly using 'unconstitutional symbols'.
A senior lawmaker from Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is facing intense scrutiny after a photograph surfaced, appearing to show him making a Nazi salute. Martin Reichardt, who chairs the AfD's state branch in Saxony-Anhalt and is a member of the federal parliament, denies the gesture was a Nazi salute, asserting it was intended as a joke during a 'humorous knighting ceremony' six years ago.
Two attendees at the gathering, who requested anonymity, stated the gesture was indeed meant as a Nazi salute, with one individual, Markus Motschmann, kneeling and addressing Reichardt as 'Mein Führer.' Motschmann confirmed the photograph's authenticity but denied using those specific words, calling the situation 'ridiculous.'
The revelation comes at a critical juncture for the AfD, which currently leads in polls for upcoming state elections in eastern Germany. The party is polling at nearly 42 percent in Saxony-Anhalt, potentially securing an absolute majority. Conservative leaders, including Saxony-Anhalt Premier Sven Schulze, have strongly condemned Reichardt, stating that anyone displaying such a gesture has no place in parliament.
Despite past scandals involving extremist rhetoric, the AfD has seen a rise in national polls. The party's Saxony-Anhalt branch has dismissed the allegations as a 'smear campaign.'
This incident is not the first involving an AfD politician and alleged Nazi salutes. AfD lawmaker Matthias Moosdorf is currently facing criminal charges for allegedly using 'unconstitutional symbols' after a similar incident in 2023. His trial is scheduled for October, and he also denies the accusations.
Under German law, public displays of Nazi symbols and gestures, including the Nazi salute, are illegal. Courts assess these cases based on whether an objective observer would perceive the gesture as a Nazi salute, irrespective of the arm used.