2024-09-20 17:25:53
In Brandenburg, seven leading candidates met for the only TV debate before the state elections. One viewer got so worked up that he was almost impossible to stop.
Five days before Brandenburg elects a new state parliament, seven top candidates underwent a “candidate check” on RBB. This repeatedly led to heated debates between moderator Dirk Platt and AfD top candidate Hans-Christoph Berndt. Berndt took offense at Platt’s factual comments more than once.
- Dietmar Woidke (SPD), incumbent Prime Minister
- Jan Redmann (CDU), top candidate
- Benjamin Raschke (Alliance 90/The Greens), 2nd place on the state list
- Hans-Christoph Berndt (AfD), top candidate
- Robert Crumbach (BSW), top candidate
- Péter Vida (Free Voters), top candidate
- Sebastian Walter (The Left), top candidate
This was also the case when the issue of the skilled labor shortage was raised. Despite millions of immigrants since 2015, the skilled labor problem in Germany is greater than ever, Berndt explained. His theory: the situation in schools, parks, trains and public spaces caused by “migrant violence” is driving skilled workers away. “We have knife attacks and gang rapes every hour. That drives normal people out of the country,” said Berndt.
Platt noted that such a displacement of skilled workers cannot be proven by numbers and referred to the population statistics. “Then please read the statistics, Mr Platt,” Berndt shot back and criticized: “I am surprised at the level at which you are asking the questions here!”
AfD top candidate criticizes RBB presenter
Berndt also took exception to a comment made by the moderator when the topic of right-wing extremism in schools in Brandenburg was discussed in the “15 Seconds” section. There were repeated “dehumanizing statements” and swastikas were increasingly found on tables and chairs, explained the spokesperson for the state’s student council. “How can we make Brandenburg’s schools more livable?” was his question, which all of the top candidates had to answer in a quarter of a minute.
“Mr. Berndt, the question is for you first,” explained moderator Platt, adding that the AfD’s top candidate had been classified as “certainly right-wing extremist” by the Brandenburg Office for the Protection of the Constitution. “What does that comment have to do with it?” complained Berndt, adding: “You have to moderate fairly.” He wanted the opportunity to respond to the comment.
Platt maintained that the fact he had raised was important in this context, but gave Berndt extra time to respond to his comment. The AfD’s top candidate explained that he was only classified as right-wing extremist after a new head of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution took office in 2019 following the change of government. “Everyone can make up their own mind about that.”
Platt did not leave this uncommented: In a constitutional state like Germany, such a classification by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution could be clarified in court, he made clear. Berndt, however, never did that. “Everyone can now make up their own minds about it,” Platt concluded his speech.
Berndt finally answered the student’s question: He thinks it is “much more important” to think about “local students” who are “harassed” by migrants. He sees this as the “relevant problem” that should not be diverted from, in his opinion. Criticism came from CDU top candidate Jan Redmann, among others. He could not understand why Berndt spoke about “migrant crimes” when asked about right-wing extremism. He believes that all crimes must be prosecuted, regardless of the area, said Redmann.
There was also opposition from SPD Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke: “Mr. Berndt has no problem with the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, he has a problem with the constitution!” he explained. In his view, right-wing extremism in schools can only be combated with education. “Education, education, education” was also the answer of the Free Voters’ top candidate, Péter Vida. No history lesson should be cancelled so that the past does not repeat itself “and something like this does not spread,” he explained.