Overview
- Alexander Räuscher, a CDU member of Saxony-Anhalt’s state parliament, wrote on X that the SPD sees itself “als xxxAP Arbeiterpartei,” a veiled allusion to the Nazi NSDAP.
- Räuscher deleted the post and apologized, saying the tweet was poorly worded, had an unintended effect, and that he regretted it.
- SPD parliamentary leader Katja Pähle called the incident a severe test for cooperation in the CDU‑SPD‑FDP government, citing the party’s history of being banned by the Nazis in 1933.
- The CDU state caucus and party leader Sven Schulze distanced themselves from Räuscher’s remarks and said he runs his social accounts on his own responsibility.
- Stern and WELT cited Mitteldeutsche Zeitung’s initial report and noted that the dispute lands as Saxony-Anhalt heads toward a September 6 state election, raising pressure on the coalition.