The head of the arch-conservative Values Union, Max Otte, wants to run for the AfD for the office of Federal President. “I’m happy to accept the AfD’s nomination,” Otte told the “Spiegel” on Tuesday.
He added: “I consider the proposal to be a great honor.” Otte said to “Welt”: “The office is independent of parties, you shouldn’t look at the office from a party-political point of view.” campaign for fundamental rights.
When asked about the ultimatum by the CDU leadership to explain themselves by 5:30 p.m., Otte told the German Press Agency in Berlin: “No one called me. I would certainly take a call and react accordingly.”
Otte: “AfD clearly on the ground of the Basic Law”
Otte said to the “Spiegel”: “I see the AfD clearly on the basis of the Basic Law.” Therefore “a CDU exclusion procedure against me would not only be incomprehensible, but also incompatible with democratic principles.” For his “decision-making, the warnings played no role for the CDU”. Otte signaled that in the event of a party order procedure, it would be important. He said: “I will not leave the CDU voluntarily.”
The CDU leadership asked Otte to leave the party after the AfD nominated him for the office of Federal President.
“Any Christian Democrat who even considers being nominated by the AfD for the office of Federal President is violating the values of the CDU and has no place in our party,” said General Secretary Paul Ziemiak in Berlin. “We also expressly request Dr. Otte to leave the CDU.”
In the evening, the CDU federal executive board wants to discuss the further procedure.