The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) will allow an embattled and controversial regional politician, Daniel Halemba, to remain in the party as part of a settlement over expulsion proceedings.
Halemba, 23, has been under criminal investigation over allegations that his right-wing university fraternity in Würzburg, Teutonia Prague, used banned Nazi symbols and members had allegedly used the Nazi greeting “Sieg Heil.”
He is also facing an investigation into suspicion of incitement, money laundering, coercion and property damage.
He has adamantly denied any criminal conduct, although fellow lawmakers in Bavaria lifted his parliamentary immunity to allow the investigation to move forward.
AfD party colleagues had accused him of violating rules and initiated expulsion proceedings against him. Halemba went to an arbitration court to defend himself against expulsion, a case that resulted in the settlement.
An AfD party spokesman told dpa on Monday that Halemba would be banned from holding office for 18 months and will be stripped of all possible party offices with immediate effect.
“However, the Federal Executive Board reserves the right to revoke this settlement by October 26, 2024,” the spokesman said.
Halemba was first elected to the Bavarian state parliament in October 2023.
The general secretary of Bavaria’s centre-right Christian Social Union (CSU) party, Martin Huber, blasted the decision. The CSU has long been the dominant force in Bavarian state politics.
“The fact that Daniel Halemba is allowed to remain in the AfD despite incitement of the people, SS memorabilia and the ‘Sieg Heil’ is inconceivable,” Huber said, referring to the allegations against Halemba.
Huber charged that the decision shows how “right-wing extremism and National Socialism are part of the AfD. The AfD is a disgrace for Germany.”
