Key facts
- The AfD is using the historical Simson motorcycle brand in its election campaign for the Saxony-Anhalt state elections.
- The party aims to connect with voters by evoking a sense of East German identity and individual freedom associated with Simson mopeds.
- Support for the AfD among young voters in Saxony-Anhalt has significantly increased.
- Descendants of the Simson family have publicly denounced the AfD's use of their brand, citing its anti-immigrant rhetoric.
- An online petition seeks to protect the Simson brand's reputation by urging a cease-and-desist letter to the AfD.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is employing the historical Simson motorcycle brand, affectionately known as the 'Vespa of East Germany,' as a central element in its campaign for the upcoming state elections in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6. At a recent rally in Quedlinburg, thousands of supporters gathered as AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund led a motorcade atop a blue Simson moped, aiming to resonate with a lingering sense of East German identity and the individual freedom associated with the brand.
Siegmund, 35, told the crowd that the Simson culture represents individual freedom of movement and a time when East Germans "stuck together." The AfD's manifesto, "Vision 2026," advocates for eastern Germany to be viewed as a national model. This strategy appears to be effective, with projected AfD support among Saxony-Anhalt voters aged 18-34 rising to 40% for the 2025 federal election, a significant increase from 25% in 2021.
Young attendees, some of whom never experienced a divided Germany, expressed enthusiasm for the AfD's efforts to organize events for fans. The Simson company, originally a weapons manufacturer founded by Jewish brothers who fled the Nazis, focused on motorcycles after World War II. Models like the Schwalbe and S50 became popular by offering young people an alternative to long car waiting lists.
However, descendants of the Simson family have publicly criticized the AfD's appropriation of their brand, stating they do not endorse the party's rhetoric against immigrants and minorities. The AfD has denied accusations of racism, asserting its focus is on stricter immigration controls. Meanwhile, the Center for Intercultural Understanding Dresden is circulating an online petition urging the current trademark holder to issue a cease-and-desist letter to the AfD to protect the brand's reputation. Counter-demonstrators were present at the rally but kept separate by police.
Sociologists explain that the AfD taps into East German identity politics by addressing feelings of disadvantage and marginalization, which have been overlooked by mainstream politics. While living standards have largely converged, a 2024 survey found a higher percentage of eastern respondents prioritizing financial security compared to their western counterparts. However, experts describe the AfD's narrative as adaptable and vague, primarily using feelings of devaluation to mobilize support rather than offering a coherent East German identity.