After the Aiwanger affair
SPD city councilors switch to Free Voters
September 27, 2023, 9:58 p.m
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They have both been dissatisfied with their party for a long time, now they are changing: the only two SPD city councilors from Aiwanger’s hometown are defecting to the Free Voters. The reason: the affair surrounding the anti-Semitic leaflet.
The only two SPD city councilors in Hubert Aiwanger’s hometown of Rottenburg an der Laaber have left the Social Democratic Party. City councilor Peter Bauer wants to join the Free Voters, the former SPD parliamentary group leader Angelika Wimmer has not yet decided. When asked, both cited long-term dissatisfaction with the SPD as the reasons. The decisive factor was the way the SPD dealt with Aiwanger in the leaflet affair. Several media outlets reported about it. Both want to keep their city council mandate.
“I had to take this step to make a statement,” said Wimmer about her departure. Among other things, she criticized early calls from the SPD to the Bavarian Economics Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Aiwanger to resign because of the affair. “I don’t run a campaign by badmouthing other people.”
Dem “Bavarian Radio” Wimmer went on to say that the SPD’s handling of the leaflet affair had left her “bitterly upset”. She has known Aiwanger for 30 years and is also friends with the SPD general secretary Ruth Müller. Nevertheless, she “cannot stand behind this attitude”. She told BR that leaving the party was very painful for her. According to his own statement, Wimmer has already held discussions with the Free Voters. “I haven’t signed anything yet, but I’m very close to the Free Voters. That’s what it will come down to,” she is quoted as saying.
Her parliamentary group colleague Peter Bauer also confirmed his departure. Bauer wants to join the Free Voters. After his vacation at the beginning of October, he will present the membership application to the board.