CDU local politician Prange endorses far-right AfD after being denied a job in state parliamentary group

Shortly before the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, a CDU local mayor explains his financial support for the AfD. "It was a deliberate step, taken after careful consideration, out of deep concern for our country," the donor writes.

After long-time CDU local politician Bernd Prange from Saxony-Anhalt gave an election recommendation for the AfD, further background to his decision has come to light. Apparently, the 59-year-old asked the party for help – and did not receive it.

The public election recommendation by CDU local politician Bernd Prange for the AfD has caused significant attention and criticism. Now, "Focus" reports on possible personal motives behind Prange's move. According to the report, the 59-year-old has confirmed that private reasons also played a role in his decision.

Key Background

• Prange, the long-time local mayor of the municipality of Altmärkische Höhe, had planned to sell his haulage company next year.
• The double burden of voluntary office and management had become too much for him, according to his own statements.
• For the time after the planned sale, he had counted on support from within his party.

Unfulfilled Request for Support

According to the report, Prange turned to a CDU state parliament member who, in his view, still owed him a favor. He asked this person to arrange a job subject to social security contributions for him in the CDU state parliamentary group. However, the request was rejected.

Which member of parliament was involved was not mentioned in the report.

Prange's Public Justification

Bernd Prange became known nationwide after he published a letter in which he gave an election recommendation for the AfD for the state election on September 6. The haulage company owner has been a CDU member since 1992 and has been a member of the Stendal district council since 1999 – the same district from which AfD top candidate Ulrich Siegmund also comes.

In the letter, he justified his decision by saying he had become increasingly alienated from the CDU. The local politician, who has been local mayor of the municipality of Altmärkische Höhe for more than 30 years, recently sharply criticized the Union's course and its stance on the firewall. He also stated that he wanted to provoke a party expulsion with his actions: "I want them to kick me out."

Financial Support for the AfD

Prange supported the AfD Saxony-Anhalt with a total of 10,000 euros. His letter is available to WELT, and an AfD spokesman confirmed receipt of the donation.

The letter stated:

"I hope that the AfD becomes so strong in the state election in Saxony-Anhalt that it can govern alone. Not out of defiance, but so that the CDU finally wakes up. So that the firewall falls. So that the party defends itself against its leftward course. And so that Friedrich Merz is removed – as a symbol of a leadership that betrays the conservative core of the Union."

Further Statements to "Focus"

Prange later added more to "Focus":

"I no longer want to experience the great arrogance of the CDU and Sven Schulze," he said, referring to the CDU top candidate and Minister President of Saxony-Anhalt. "I have experienced so much evil. The CDU is no longer my home and future."

The classification of the AfD state association as definitely right-wing extremist by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution does not change his stance. "The AfD was democratically elected," said Prange.

Party Reaction

The CDU Saxony-Anhalt reacted sharply to the local politician's statements and signaled a party expulsion procedure. However, Prange had told "Focus" that he deliberately wanted to provoke such an outcome. CDU top candidate and Minister President Sven Schulze distanced himself from Prange's actions.