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In a major German city, a four-year-old has been targeted at a local kindergarten solely because of his father’s position as an Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) member of the Bundestag.
Parents petitioned for the child’s exclusion, prompting the father to attend an extraordinary parents’ evening at the daycare venue.
During the meeting, which included 15 parents, three staff members, and the father, tensions were high. The father emphasized, “I’m here at the daycare center as a father, not as a politician,” assuring participants of a clear separation between his professional role and his family life. He expressed concern that his child might be ostracized.
The initiator of the petition later acknowledged that his initial message calling for the child’s removal had been incorrectly worded “in the heat of the moment” and clarified that the care of all children remained the priority. Following discussions, parents agreed to take no action against the child and instead hold dialogue with interested parents and the father.
The kindergarten’s administration stressed that the facility is a neutral educational environment, focusing on children’s development without political or religious labels. Supervisory authorities have been informed, and staff will receive guidance on handling such disputes.
Prior to the parents’ evening, some suggestions were raised, including training on so-called extremism, introducing a code of values in the daycare center rules, and implementing age-appropriate learning content—even though the children are only aged three to four years old.
The right-wing populist AfD continues to gain popularity across Germany, particularly in the eastern regions, where it may soon enter government, despite the so-called “firewall” forbidding any cooperation with the anti-immigration AfD. As the party grows in popularity, it increasingly becomes the target of left-wing initiatives.
Extremists also keep resorting to violence. On October 5th in Göttingen, two AfD members were slightly injured in a planned attack. Earlier incidents include the burning of offices belonging to AfD representatives in Munich.
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