Taz journalist Ulrike Herrmann accuses AfD of using Nazi-era tactics on TV
During a ZDF interview, Ulrike Herrmann claimed the AfD employs slogans and methods reminiscent of the Nazi SA and warned of threats to migrants and queer people if the party wins in Saxony-Anhalt.
In a ZDF broadcast, Ulrike Herrmann of taz asserted that the AfD is chanting Nazi-style slogans and adopting SA-like methods, a claim she described as highly alarming. She warned that an AfD win in the upcoming Saxony-Anhalt election could lead to migrants and LGBTQ people being denied German status. Herrmann further alleged that many police officers ignore the Grundgesetz, and that right-wing violent incidents are increasing.
When Axel Springer journalist Felix Serrao pointed out differences between modern right-wing influencers and historic SA troops, Herrmann responded that the gap is so small it need not be emphasized. The interview highlighted growing concerns about the party’s impact on minority groups and democratic institutions.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTCentrist coverage highlights a banned neo-Nazi youth group advising the AfD leader, while right-leaning coverage treats accusations of Nazi-style tactics as exaggerated alarmism and stresses that drawing Nazi parallels is unhelpful.
CENTER
Centrist coverage frames the story as evidence that the AfD leader is receiving guidance from a prohibited neo-Nazi organization with historic ties to National Socialism.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage frames the story as a partisan over-reaction, portraying the Nazi-tactics accusations as sensationalist and emphasizing that comparing the AfD to the Nazi era is misleading or a left-wing tactic.
The right emphasises
- AfD is chanting Nazi-style slogans - described as highly alarming
- drawing parallels to the Nazi era is not helpful
- accusations are presented as left-wing alarmism
How this story developed
- Aug 23 Merz warns AfD win in Saxony-Anhalt could scare off foreign investors
- Aug 31 A fact‑checking report found Merz’s asylum and debt figures were inaccurate.
- Aug 31 Chancellor warned that an AfD win could deter foreign investors.
- Sep 1 Ulrich Siegmund, a former perfume seller who left the CDU, has been identified as the AfD’s lead candidate in Saxony‑Anhalt.
- Sep 2 A new TV4 poll shows Sweden's governing right-wing coalition almost equal to the centre-left bloc with 11 days left before the Sept. 13 parliamentary vote.
- Sep 2 SPD polling in Saxony‑Anhalt falls to about 7‑8%.
- Sep 3 The state parliament passed emergency legislation that raises the thresholds for selecting the minister‑president and appointing judges, limiting the AfD’s ability to govern even if it wins the plurality.
- Sep 4 Election held on Sunday, with results set to decide if the AfD can dominate the Landtag and trigger legal challenges.
- Sep 5 The latest Novus poll shows the opposition lead narrowed to 2.6 points.
- Sep 5 Pro‑democracy rallies were held in Magdeburg and elsewhere as the election approaches.
- Sep 5 The interior ministry has mobilised extra riot police and water‑cannon units and logged over 1,000 rallies and 66 incidents ahead of the vote.
- Sep 6 Polls on election day show the AfD at roughly 41‑43 % and the CDU at about 22‑23 %.
- Sep 6 Early voting started with AfD and CDU candidates casting ballots amid protests.
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