Maximilian Krah is still candidate for the European elections of 6-9 June 2024 despite the recent scandals (spy and corruption allegations, topped by his recent comment about the Waffen-SS in an interview by the italian newspaper La Repubblica.
The fact that he is still running for the European elections for the extreme right political party AfD means that neither the the political party, nor, more unsettling, the European electoral system, can effectively prevent (or want to prevent) the rise to power by politicians that openly increase hate speech and incite violence towards immigrants, women, and other groups targeted by the far-right.
The strategy, if there is one, rides on the motto that there is no such thing as bad publicity... and they might be proven right if the ultimate sanctions to Krah will be limited to no more campaigning and stepping down of the leadership board of AfD, while he can still keep his seat in the European Parliament. Afterall, does he even need to campaign by now to reach his electorate?
The laboratoy for testing ground to spread violent far-right discourses takes place at a very high level: at the peak of European elections by the leader candidate of the extreme right political party AfD, second force in Germany in recent polls.
According to Politico, "a source close to Krah suggested he will be able to take a more prominent role again after the EU election." Because afterall, "The withdrawal from campaigning and resignation from the board were about “maintaining peace within the party” until the scrutiny dies down after the EU election, said a person close to Krah, who spoke on condition of anonymity to talk freely about sensitive party matters". Politico remarks the statement of Weidel, spokesperons of AfD, "(Krah) does not want to resign his mandate. However, he will not play a prominent role in the delegation.”
Politico notes, "For Le Pen, the attempt to distance herself from the AfD appears to be part of a larger strategy to make her party appear less extreme in an attempt to win over voters at home and realize her ultimate aim — to win the French presidency".
The reactions and sanctions have been effectively and strongly aesthetic.
The question arises: Are there effective and expedit mechanisms at the national and European level to respond to serious and imminent threats to the human rights based and democratic institutions that govern Europe today?
The European elections of the 6-9 June will resolve to some extent the question. And the answer might be no.
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