Hubert Aiwanger, leader of the Freie Wahler (Free Voters) Party and Bavarian economy minister, is facing allegations of distributing an anti–Semitic pamphlet during his school years. The pamphlet included disturbing prizes such as a “free trip through Auschwitz’s chimney” and a year‘s accommodation in Dachau for “the biggest traitor to the fatherland”. Other chilling “prizes” offered included references to Nazi execution methods, such as a “free shot in the neck” and “a free decapitation by guillotine”. The pamphlet also featured a photograph of a young Aiwanger with a Hitler–style pencil moustache.
Aiwanger‘s far–right attitudes during his school years have been revealed by several classmates, who disclosed that he had mentioned practicing Hitler speeches in front of the mirror and reading Hitler‘s forbidden autobiography Mein Kampf. The pamphlet incident reportedly led to Aiwanger being sent to the headmaster and having to present on “the third Reich” as a form of punishment.
Felix Klein, Germany’s anti-Semitism tsar, has called for Aiwanger’s dismissal if the allegations are confirmed. The Bavarian opposition has also demanded a special session of the state parliament to address the issue. Bavarian Premier Markus Söder condemned the pamphlet and called for a thorough explanation of the accusations.
Aiwanger initially denied writing the pamphlet and described its content as “disgusting and inhuman”. He refused to identify the actual author, but later, his older brother Helmut Aiwanger claimed responsibility. While Aiwanger denied distributing the pamphlet, he acknowledged having copies of it at school. Despite the controversy, the Free Voters party dismissed the allegations as a failed smear campaign.
Saskia Esken, co-leader of the Social Democratic Party, called on Premier Söder to dismiss Aiwanger, even if he did not write the pamphlet himself, stating that the “disgusting and inhuman phrasing” reflects an unacceptable attitude that should not hold political responsibility in Germany. The accusations have raised concerns about Aiwanger’s fitness for public office as Bavaria’s deputy premier.
