Senior AfD member Bjorn Hocke is back in court for a second offense of using a Nazi phrase at a party gathering in Thuringia. He faces a fine or up to three years in jail if convicted, with a verdict expected soon.
Hocke, previously fined 13,000 euros for his first offense, argued the slogan is common in Germany. His legal troubles come before regional elections, where he plans to run for governor despite his party’s extremist label.
The controversial politician’s popularity is on the rise despite divisive comments about Germany’s Nazi past. If successful in the elections, he could become Germany’s first far-right state premier.
Meanwhile, AfD’s exclusion of another candidate due to scandals highlights the party’s internal challenges. With far-right movements gaining traction across Europe, Hocke’s case reflects a broader political shift in the region.
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