Displaced Persons' Networks in Germany vs. Refugee Opposition Networks
In the political landscape of Germany, CDU politician Christoph de Vries has found himself under scrutiny amidst controversial associations. The Hamburg Alliance against the Right, a group dedicated to combating right-wing extremism, has criticised de Vries for his appearance as a guest speaker at the "Prussian General Newspaper" (PGZ), a newspaper considered by the alliance to be a key publication of the so-called New Right, with a role as a bridge between conservatism and right-wing extremism.
De Vries, who currently serves as Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of the Interior, has been a prominent figure in the CDU, particularly in Hamburg. However, his association with the PGZ has raised eyebrows, given the newspaper's warm recommendation of geopolitical theses and concepts from Russian ultranationalist philosopher Alexander Dugin and right-wing publicist Dimitrios Kisoudis.
The PGZ's questionable connections extend beyond de Vries, as Wilhelm von Gottberg, a former chairman of the Landsmannschaft OstpreuΓen, was reportedly in the audience during one of de Vries' speeches. Von Gottberg, who served in the Bundestag for the AfD until 2021, has faced criticism for approvingly quoting a statement that relativised the Holocaust and defending an antisemitic speech.
Despite the controversy surrounding de Vries and the PGZ, it's important to note that there is no evidence in the available search results linking de Vries directly to far-right ideologies or extremist views. The CDU, as a mainstream centre-right political party, often experiences intraparty politics and controversies, but none of the materials researched mention de Vries specifically in relation to far-right politics or affiliations.
The UdVA (Union of Expellees, Resettlers, and German Minorities), a CDU-CSU group, has been embroiled in its own controversies. Its chairman, Egon Primas, has issued a press release on May 8th, remembering the "fate of the expelled and victims of communist injustice regimes". However, Primas' statements and the association's stance have sparked criticism, including from the Hamburg Alliance against the Right.
Philipp Amthor, the treasurer of the UdVA, and Friedrich Merz, a prominent CDU figure, have also been associated with the UdVA. Merz and de Vries reportedly gave greetings at the last annual meeting of the UdVA, adding another layer to the political connections within the CDU.
In light of these associations and the criticism they have sparked, Christoph de Vries' political views and affiliations beyond the current search data require specific sources or statements from him, or trusted analyses, to provide a more detailed insight. The ongoing debates and scrutiny surrounding de Vries and the UdVA serve as a reminder of the complexities and nuances within German politics.
[1] CDU politician under scrutiny amidst controversial associations [2] Hamburg Alliance criticises CDU politician over PGZ appearance [3] UdVA chairman issues press release remembering expellees and victims
[4] Von Gottberg, ex-AfD member, linked to PGZ and CDU controversy [5] Political connections within CDU highlighted through UdVA and de Vries associations [6] Further investigation needed into de Vries' political views beyond current search data.
