Overview
- Moderator Thomas Böhm says the pre-interview was cut off when he signaled he would ask about Federau’s biography and the AfD, including the escort-service reports, and he denies insults or attacks on her family.
- Petra Federau alleges insult and defamation and says the planned questions were unrelated to her candidacy and would indirectly target her family.
- The Schweriner Volkszeitung reported in 2016 that Federau recruited women for an escort service and accompanied them to Arab countries, which preceded the AfD denying her a list spot for the state election.
- TV Schwerin dropped the planned broadcast after the pre-interview ended, Nordkurier first reported, and Böhm published a YouTube statement outlining his position.
- Schwerin’s mayoral election is set for April 12, 2026, and seven candidates have filed to run pending confirmation by the municipal election committee on February 5.