A 99-year-old Holocaust survivor has expressed his deep disappointment with Germany's political climate, culminating in his decision to return his Federal Cross of Merit to the German president. Albrecht Weinberg, who survived the atrocities of Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen, made this poignant gesture following the Bundestag's recent vote, which was significantly influenced by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. This vote allowed the far-right to break longstanding taboos against collaborating with extremist factions within the nation’s legislative process, leading to widespread condemnation and alarm from various sectors of German society.
On January 29, 2025, the Bundestag passed legislation directed at tightening migration policies, and the AfD's role was pivotal. This momentous decision not only shattered the firewall typically maintained between mainstream political parties and the far-right but also sparked intense criticism from opposition groups, including the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, and the Left Party. Among those voicing concerns was former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who publicly rebuked the CDU's Friedrich Merz for breaking promises to avoid cooperation with the AfD, backtracking on democratic norms.
Weinberg, who dedicated the past decade to educating young Germans about the Holocaust and the lessons of history, was horrified to see figures he viewed as democrats resorting to partnerships reminiscent of dark chapters from the nation's past. He remarked, "You know German history? You know then how some people posing as democrats in 1933 abused the legal political process to get to power? What happened in the Bundestag on Wednesday reminded me of Germany in 1933 of how Hitler and the Nazi party managed to come to power through legitimate means." This expression of concern reflects his fear of repeating historical mistakes.
Reflecting on his decision to return his award, Weinberg noted, "I was very upset about the voting in the Bundestag," highlighting the personal weight of the decision. He joined photographer Luigi Toscano, who also returned his Federal Cross of Merit award to protest the same vote. Toscano, known for his project "Lest We Forget," which documented the lives of Holocaust survivors, indicated he would personally deliver their returned medals to President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, stating, "Either the president will receive us or we’ll throw the medals..."
The vote came shortly after commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, making the timing particularly poignant. Eva Umlauf, another Auschwitz survivor reflecting on the situation, articulated fears of fascism returning, drawing parallels to how politicians once miscalculated the potential dangers of cooperating with extremist parties. She wrote to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, reminding readers how the initial willingness to align with Hitler's Nazis led to the erosion of democracy. "We all know how German politicians once thought they could cooperate with Hitler and the Nazi party... and how, in just a few years, our democracy became a dictatorship. Peace became war," she underscored.
The current political atmosphere has incited not only fear among Holocaust survivors but also precedent-setting discussions about what it means to uphold democratic values. Critics have drawn chilling comparisons between the tactics used by the AfD and those employed by the Nazis during their rise to power, including distasteful imagery and rhetoric aimed at immigrants. For example, the AfD reportedly distributed flyers resembling deportation tickets to undocumented immigrants, triggering visceral memories among survivors and reminding them of the past.
Weinberg remarked, "The Nazis wanted to get rid of my family even though we were German citizens, and they succeeded in murdering my parents and almost killed me and my siblings. Now these politicians want to chase everyone out who they don’t like... Did they learn nothing from the Second World War? I really wonder whether I should be packing my suitcase again." This apprehension echoes across the community of survivors, many of whom feel their hard-fought lessons are not only being ignored but actively undermined.
The fallout continues to resonate through Germany's political sphere, with discontent brewing not just from survivors but from citizens who fear the normalization of far-right ideologies. The CDU's decision to align with the AfD stands as both a political gamble and a troubling indicator of shifting sentiments among mainstream parties. Critics argue the long-term ramifications could fracture Germany’s political integrity, moving away from the democratic tenets established post-World War II.
Weinberg’s and Toscano's actions resonate powerfully with advocates for Holocaust education and awareness, serving as stark reminders of the personal stakes involved when historical lessons fade from public consciousness. Amidst this complex political environment, the echoes of the past serve as both warnings and calls to action, urging vigilance against the continuing rise of extremism.
Through his poignant protest, Weinberg encapsulates not only the collective horror felt by Holocaust survivors but also the pressing need for progressive dialogue on immigration and democratic values. The attention drawn to these issues is urgent, as both history and morality compel society to reflect on the current political landscapes and their potential trajectories.