Notable moment at election rally: Former East German anthem sung at far-right AfD event

An election event held by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the city of Dessau-Roßlau in the state of Saxony-Anhalt made headlines due to a development at the end of the program. During the event, instead of the current German national anthem, the former national anthem of the German Democratic Republic, "Auferstanden aus Ruinen" (Risen from Ruins), was performed.

AfD Co-Leader Tino Chrupalla announced that the closing would be marked by the German national anthem. However, cabaret artist Uwe Steimle took the microphone and began to sing the piece that served as the official national anthem of the German Democratic Republic between 1949 and 1990.

According to Sol Haber, Chrupalla, who appeared surprised at first, soon joined in the anthem along with the AfD's candidate for prime minister of Saxony-Anhalt, Ulrich Siegmund, and hundreds of people in the hall. Afterward, the current German national anthem was played.

CHRUPALLA RESPONDS TO CRITICISM

Following the event, the fact that the anthem was sung became a subject of public debate, and Chrupalla issued a statement in response to the criticism.

Pointing to the lyrics "Deutschland, einig Vaterland", meaning "Germany, united fatherland", Chrupalla argued that these words represent the German people's desire for unity.

The AfD leader claimed that the singing of the anthem was subsequently "artificially turned into a scandal."

The lyrics of the anthem, used between 1949 and 1990, were written by communist poet Johannes R. Becher, while the music was composed by Hanns Eisler, a communist composer who was forced into exile from Nazi Germany.

AFD'S EAST GERMANY RHETORIC DRAWS ATTENTION

Although the AfD criticizes the political and economic system of the socialist era, it maintains strong voter support, particularly in states located within the borders of the former East Germany.

The party highlights issues such as unemployment, deindustrialization, population loss, and social insecurity experienced in the eastern states following German reunification within its nationalist rhetoric.

While AfD officials characterize the German Democratic Republic as a "dictatorship," they utilize nostalgia for this period in their political discourse alongside resentment toward West Germany and the Berlin-based political administration.

For this reason, the singing of the former East German anthem at the event is viewed less as an embrace of the socialist past and more as an example of the repurposing of historical symbols within a different political framework.

PROSECUTOR'S INVESTIGATION INTO STEIMLE

The public prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into Uwe Steimle, who performed the anthem at the event, due to certain expressions he used in his speech.

It is stated that while criticizing Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Steimle made a reference to Claus von Stauffenberg, a leading figure in the July 20, 1944, assassination attempt against Adolf Hitler.

The prosecutor's office is investigating whether Steimle's statements can be considered a crime of disturbing the public peace through threats to commit a crime.

State elections in Saxony-Anhalt will be held on September 6. While public opinion polls indicate that the AfD is ahead of the ruling Christian Democratic Union in the state, the party's Saxony-Anhalt branch is classified as a "confirmed right-wing extremist organization" by the state's Office for the Protection of the Constitution.

The national anthem of the German Democratic Republic:

"Risen from ruins,

and turned towards the future,

let us serve you for the good,

Germany, united fatherland.

We must overcome the old sufferings,

and we will overcome them together,

for we must ensure

that the sun shines upon Germany

more beautifully than ever before.

May happiness and peace be granted

to Germany, our fatherland.

The whole world longs for peace,

reach out your hands to the peoples.

When we unite fraternally,

we will defeat the enemy of the people.

Let the light of peace shine,

so that no mother ever again

weeps for her son.

Let us plow the land, let us build,

learn and produce as never before,

trusting in our own strength,

may a free generation rise.

German youth, in you are united

the highest aspirations of our people,

you shall be the new life of Germany.

And the sun will shine upon Germany

more beautifully than ever before."