By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Berlin prosecutors have charged a member of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party with performing a Nazi salute in parliament. The incident allegedly occurred in June 2023, where the suspect greeted a colleague with a Hitler salute at the Reichstag building. The accused, identified by Bild as Matthias Moosdorf, denies the gesture and had his parliamentary immunity removed in October. Moosdorf, a former foreign policy spokesperson, has faced scrutiny due to his pro-Russia stance and holds an honorary professorship at a Moscow music academy.
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Member of far-right AfD party charged with making Nazi salute at Reichstag – well, it seems like history is repeating itself in a way that’s both shocking and, sadly, not entirely surprising. The news of a member of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party being charged for giving the Nazi salute, the infamous “Hitlergruß,” inside the Reichstag, Germany’s parliament, is a stark reminder of the far-right’s growing boldness. One has to wonder, isn’t this the same party that’s constantly trying to distance itself from its Nazi-adjacent elements?
The fact that this happened in the Reichstag itself, the symbolic heart of German democracy, is particularly significant. It’s a statement, a deliberate act of defiance and a clear indication of how far some individuals are willing to go to express their views. It’s a chilling reminder that, despite the passage of time and the lessons of history, these ideologies continue to fester.
Isn’t it odd how this resurgence of such views seems to have coincided with the passing of the generation who directly experienced the horrors of World War II? Those who understood the true nature of fascism and knew what actions were needed to counter it. It’s almost as if the absence of those direct witnesses has created an environment where such actions are no longer met with the instant, forceful rebuke they once deserved. The emboldening of these groups to the point where they feel comfortable making Nazi salutes in parliament is a very disturbing sign.
It is worth noting that some individuals in powerful positions have been seen to be in support of these far-right elements. Whether that support is direct or through tacit endorsement, it sends a dangerous signal.
Let’s be clear, when someone gives a Nazi salute, it’s a Nazi salute. There’s no room for interpretation or nuance. It represents a history of hate, violence, and genocide. The people who engage in these acts are not simply expressing an opinion; they are embracing a vile ideology.
Of course, the AfD has its origins in more mainstream conservative politics. But the party’s trajectory has been a steady march towards the fringes, often embracing rhetoric and policies that echo the darkest chapters of German history. It has given a platform to some truly problematic people and has been applauded by figures like Nigel Farage, for instance.
We’ve arrived at a point where the core principles that once formed a consensus – that Nazism was unequivocally evil and unacceptable – are being eroded. There seems to be a strange fascination with this ideology and a willingness to overlook the atrocities committed in its name. It appears that the fear that once kept these ideologies in the shadows is fading. The absence of a strong pushback, a forceful societal rejection of these views, is allowing them to grow.
Germany, like many countries in Europe, has experienced a rise in neo-Nazi movements for some time. There are numerous groups and individuals who openly espouse Nazi beliefs. The issue is that the pushback is not strong enough. The people embracing these views are not being met with the severity necessary to stifle their efforts.
It is understandable that people are frustrated and angry. They are seeing the slow creeping of a dark ideology. It is frustrating to witness the rise of these views, and the fact that there are people who are indifferent, or even supportive, is alarming.
The AfD is often accused of being a proxy for these more extreme beliefs. The party’s strategy, like any successful movement, follows a pattern. First, the movement makes a few jokes, and if nobody objects, the jokes become coarser. Then, the jokes evolve into ideals. Finally, after they receive no resistance, they start acting on those ideals. That’s what we see happening now.
There is a historical precedent for how to deal with this, in post-war Germany. The example of the social democrats beating up a member of a similar party is an example of what needs to happen.
Ultimately, the charged member’s actions at the Reichstag is more than just a single act of defiance; it is a symptom of a larger problem. It is a sign of a society that is struggling to learn from its past. It is a challenge to all those who believe in democracy and human decency. The situation calls for vigilance, and a renewed commitment to the core values that have been threatened.