Four days of radio silence
Aiwanger speaks up after the leaflet affair
8/30/2023 11:52 am
The leaflet affair superimposed on the Bavarian state election campaign. Prime Minister Söder is not satisfied with the statements made by Vice Aiwanger in the coalition committee, a questionnaire should provide clarification. Now the head of the Free Voters, who has been accused of anti-Semitism, has made his public statement for the first time.
For the first time in four days, there is Hubert Aiwanger on the social media profile of Bavaria’s Deputy Prime Minister at X, formerly Twitter, a new entry: “#Dirty campaigns end up backfiring. #Aiwanger,” read there. As a rule, the Free Voters boss writes all the posts himself. So far there has been no confirmation as to whether that was the case this time too.
On Saturday evening, Aiwanger had denied in writing that he had written an anti-Semitic leaflet when he was at school in the 1980s, which the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” had reported on. At the same time, however, he admitted that “one or a few copies” were found in his school bag. Shortly thereafter, Aiwanger’s older brother admitted to having written the pamphlet.
Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder, however, has not yet received sufficient explanations. He sent his deputy 25 questions, which he should now answer in writing “promptly” and “as transparently as possible”. Only then can a credible discussion be held, emphasized Söder. “We very much hope that we can finally succeed in clarifying these matters beyond a doubt. Because one thing is clear: such allegations must not continue to exist.”
Aiwanger’s statements in the coalition committee on Tuesday were “definitely not sufficient” for final clarification, Söder said on Tuesday. “No residual doubts” should remain. But he also made it clear that he was sticking with Aiwanger, at least for the time being: “Until there is final clarification, as long as there is no new evidence or what has been said so far can be completely refuted, a dismissal from the office of a state minister would be excessive.” He added: “That means that nothing more can be added now.”