BERLINO: A Shadow of Scandals

Krah Under Fire

BERLIN - In the wake of recent scandals surrounding a Chinese collaborator and alleged ties to Russia, Alexander Gauland, a prominent figure in the German far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD), has come under increased scrutiny. Italian newspaper La Repubblica published an interview with Gauland last weekend, in which he stated, "I will never say that everyone who wore an SS uniform was automatically a Nazi." This statement has sparked outrage among various opposition groups and has cast a dark shadow over the party's reputation.

A Troubled Past

The SS (Schutzstaffel), an elite paramilitary organization within the Nazi regime, was responsible for numerous atrocities during World War II, including the Holocaust. Gauland's comments have been widely condemned as an attempt to downplay the role of the SS in Nazi Germany's crimes against humanity.

In a subsequent interview with the German news magazine Der Spiegel, Gauland attempted to clarify his remarks, stating that he was not denying the guilt of the SS but rather expressing his belief that individuals should not be solely judged by their past affiliations. However, his attempt at damage control has not been successful, and the controversy continues to hound him.