DDR Anthem at AfD Event: SED Victims' Commissioner Zupke Criticizes Steimle

The Federal Commissioner for Victims of the SED Dictatorship, Evelyn Zupke, called the collective singing of the DDR anthem a "Verharmlosung" of the DDR. For people who became victims of the system, such historical amnesia was "unerträglich, keine Satire." Saxony-Anhalt's SED Reappraisal Commissioner, Johannes Beleites, also spoke of a "Missachtung der Opfer der SED-Diktatur" and a "Geringschätzung der Menschen, die für Freiheit und Demokratie ihr Leben riskiert oder lange Haftstrafen in Kauf genommen haben."

In an interview with the online radio station "Kontrafunk," Steimle rejected the accusations. "Ich hab mir nichts vorzuwerfen," he said. He was trying to shake people up using the tools of satire. He was "ein alter Linker" and would not let himself be turned into "einen neuen Rechten." Moreover, he had not distanced himself from the Federal Republic with the DDR anthem: "Er sei mit der DDR-Hymne groß geworden. Er singe auch 'die andere Hymne' mit. Aber: 'Ich bin nicht angekommen in der BRD.'"

Remarks about Merz and Merkel

Steimle also made disparaging remarks during the appearance about Chancellor Friedrich Merz and former Chancellor Angela Merkel, both of the CDU. According to investigators, these remarks are the subject of the proceedings. Steimle also described Germany as "ein besetztes Land" and said: "Da kann von einer Wiedervereinigung nicht die Rede sein. Wir sind ein besetztes Land. Und das ist eine Schande."

His lawyer rejected the accusations, stating that it is the task of cabaret artists to "den Blödsinn um die Politik künstlerisch zu verarbeiten." This cannot be the subject of public prosecutor investigations. At the same time, the lawyer signaled willingness to engage in dialogue: Steimle was prepared to speak with the public prosecutor's office in order to "Irritationen" auszuräumen.

Background: Steimle's Career

Uwe Steimle became known as an actor primarily for his role as Commissioner Jens Hinrichs in the crime series "Polizeiruf 110," which is set in Dresden. Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR) ended its collaboration with him on the format "Steimles Welt" in 2019, after Steimle had repeatedly publicly criticized the broadcaster. During the Corona pandemic, Steimle had also repeatedly voiced criticism of the protective measures.

Investigation against Steimle

Steimle's appearance with the AfD in Dessau-Roßlau thus raises a fundamental question about political symbolism: The national anthem of the DDR is a highly charged symbol for SED victims. Zupke and Beleites object to this song being sung collectively at a party event, thereby relativizing the unjust character of the SED state.

The Dessau-Roßlau public prosecutor's office is now examining whether Steimle's remarks meet the elements of the offense of disturbing the public peace by threatening criminal offenses. A result of the investigation is pending.

It is already clear that the controversy over the appearance has reignited the debate about how to handle DDR symbolism and the reappraisal of the SED dictatorship. The victims' commissioners see the public staging of the anthem as an affront to those who suffered under the regime.

Reactions from federal politicians to the investigations or to Steimle's remarks about Merz and Merkel were not available by editorial deadline. The public prosecutor's office announced that the review would be expedited.