Published speech manuscript: Is Holger Friedrich now for or against the AfD?

Things have become a bit quieter around Holger Friedrich lately. Which is why his angry speech at the AfD's “Democracy Congress” in June caused a sensation. The publisher and owner of the Berliner Zeitung and Ostdeutscher Allgemeine was invited and initially wanted to come - but then turned down.

Small spoiler: Holger Friedrich does this more often. At the Central Germany Media Days in the spring, for example, where he was announced for the “New Models for Local Journalism” session. Mostly with the argument that he is really very busy. But there is also strategic and tactical calculation behind it. (Disclosure: I moderated the panel at the time and Holger Friedrich had called me in advance and warned me about the likely cancellation.)

Now Friedrich wanted to speak at the AfD and then not and now somehow he does. Although he canceled in June, he then published his speech manuscript on the Internet. I have no idea when that was or whether it was just noticed now. But since Friedrich wishes the AfD “all the best” there, the excitement is now justifiably great. With a view to potential government responsibility in Saxony-Anhalt, it is also said, "It is an opportunity for you. And perhaps it also offers Germany the chance to find a way out of the political agony."

What the current reporting on this often shortens or fails to mention entirely is that Friedrich definitely distances himself from the AfD. Parts of the party represent “unacceptable positions,” said Friedrich, according to the speech manuscript. Friedrich also knows that the AfD's relationship to political extremism is unclear. Which he finds “just as democratically questionable” as the firewall.

Friedrich opposes the “politics of fear” with which the AfD demonizes everything that is supposedly foreign. He demands that the party take responsibility for “what is said and thought within its own ranks,” especially during the Nazi era.

Anyone who dismisses this “as a cult of guilt” “disqualifies themselves from government responsibility.” The question arises as to why Friedrich doesn't say it to the AfD's face, but instead posts it on the Internet under the somewhat bizarre file name "HF goes AfD".

In June, months before the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, “HF” described the AfD as a “risk for German society”. At least if she doesn't change in his opinion.

I still can't understand this guy. But believe in the good in people, even if they are publishers. Which is why Holger F. should now make it very clear in an update that this is not possible with the AfD. And ensures that its papers no longer sing the praises of the party and its supporters under the guise of diversity of opinion. Otherwise the cramp will continue. “Oh, and then he wants to forego the tendency protection?” asks the roommate.