AfD federal presidential candidate
“Serious case of party-damaging behavior”: CDU cold Max Otte
“Excluded for the time being”: The CDU board around Paul Ziemiak doesn’t give Max Otte (not in the picture) a chance anymore
© Bernd von Jutrczenka / DPA
Max Otte, CDU member and head of the arch-conservative Values Union, should and wants to run for the AfD as Federal President. The CDU reacted to this clearly.
The CDU immediately withdraws all membership rights from the head of the arch-conservative Values Union, Max Otte. She thus draws the conclusion from his candidacy for the office of Federal President at the suggestion of the AfD. In addition, proceedings to exclude Otte from the party will be initiated, as General Secretary Paul Ziemiak explained on Tuesday evening after a meeting of the CDU federal executive board.
It is “an urgent and serious case of behavior that is seriously damaging to the party, which requires immediate intervention,” said Ziemiak. “Dr. Max Otte is therefore temporarily excluded from exercising his rights as a party member until the final decision of the responsible party court with immediate effect and until further notice.” He can comment on this until January 29th.
CDU accuses Max Otte of violating the principle
Otte not only disregarded the resolution of the Union for the intended re-election of Frank-Walter Steinmeier as Federal President, said Ziemiak. “In particular, he violated the principle of the CDU not to cooperate in any way with the AfD.” Ziemiak expressly pointed out Otte’s joint appearance with the AfD parliamentary group leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla in the afternoon in the Reichstag building. “At the same time he violated his duty of loyalty and solidarity towards the CDU,” he emphasized.
“The political games of the AfD and the way in which Dr. Otte got involved in them also shows little respect for the office of Federal President, if not for our democratic and parliamentary order,” Ziemiak continued.