reports of inconsistencies
AfD takes a close look at the CVs of its EU candidates
08/21/2023, 6:05 p.m
Arno Bausemer wants to move into the European Parliament as an AfD deputy after the 2024 election. According to a media report, he makes false claims about his career path in his application – as does another candidate. The party board is now having all the information checked.
After reports of inconsistencies, the AfD board has the CVs of the candidates for the upcoming European elections checked. This was decided by the AfD federal executive board. The reason for this is doubts about the information that some recently named AfD candidates for the European elections have given on their CVs.
Research by t-online had shown that the candidate Arno Bausemer from Saxony-Anhalt, who was placed tenth on the European list, is said to have made numerous false statements in his application for the candidacy. Party members also have further doubts about the degree of candidate Mary Khan-Hohloch, who was placed 14th.
According to AFP information, the federal executive board has now decided that all candidates for the 2024 European elections should submit proof of their academic and professional qualifications and all other CV information.
Bausemer’s Saxony-Anhalt state association stands behind him
For the European elections, the AfD had nominated a total of 35 candidates in a complex party conference procedure. So far, it remains unclear what happens to candidates whose résumés confirm inconsistencies.
In the case of the candidate Bausemer, research by t-online revealed that his claim that he had worked as the “managing director” of an agricultural business for many years was wrong. In addition, Bausemer – contrary to what he himself claimed – did not have any completed journalistic training. Bausemer’s Saxony-Anhalt state association backed the candidate after the allegations became known. There are also persistent doubts about the statements made by the European candidate Khan-Hohloch that she has completed a degree.
These inconsistencies are causing unrest in parts of the grassroots – there are concerns that the party may have fallen for impostors when nominating candidates. The press office of the AfD federal party initially left two AFP inquiries with a request for comment unanswered.