AfD lists absent publisher Holger Friedrich as congress participant
Publisher Holger Friedrich of Berliner Zeitung and Ostdeutsche Allgemeinen Zeitung did not attend the AfD parliamentary group's first Democracy Congress in Berlin on June 26-27, despite being listed as a participant on the party's website. Friedrich had publicly justified his planned attendance in a May guest article in his own newspaper, stating he wanted to engage in dialogue even though he disagreed with many AfD positions. The AfD has not removed his name from the participant list post-event, and his absence was not mentioned in the congress livestream. The discrepancy raises questions about the party's construction of public participation.
Key facts
- Holger Friedrich did not attend the AfD Democracy Congress on June 26-27 in Berlin.
- The AfD continues to list Friedrich as a participant on its website as of Monday noon.
- Friedrich published a guest article in May explaining his intention to attend.
- Friedrich is publisher of Berliner Zeitung and Ostdeutsche Allgemeinen Zeitung.
- The congress was organized by the AfD parliamentary group.
- Friedrich's absence was not mentioned in the livestream.
- Friedrich stated he wanted to provide a discursive impulse despite disagreeing with many AfD positions.
- The event was the first Democracy Congress of the AfD parliamentary group.
Entities
Institutions
- AfD
- AfD-Bundestagsfraktion
- Berliner Zeitung
- Ostdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung
Locations
- Berlin
- Germany