Magdeburg library cancels Arne Semsrott reading over 'provocative' content

The city library of Magdeburg canceled a reading by author Arne Semsrott, who was scheduled to present his book "Gegenmacht. Die Zivilgesellschaft schlägt zurück" in June. The event was deemed "too provocative" by the library. Semsrott later announced the cancellation, and the reading was subsequently taken up by the Moritzhof cultural center, which is not directly dependent on the city administration. The Heinrich Böll Foundation, acting as the organizer, confirmed the cancellation. The incident is seen as an example of preemptive deference to the perceived strength of the far-right AfD party.