AfD Celebrates East German Heritage with Simson Moped Rally to Inspire Eastern Voters
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The Alternative for Germany (AfD) organized a patriotic Simson moped convoy in Quedlinburg, proudly invoking East German traditions as it seeks to strengthen its lead in the upcoming Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania elections.
Germany’s patriotic Alternative for Germany (AfD) held a vibrant Simson moped rally in the eastern town of Quedlinburg on Sunday, embracing the proud heritage of the former East German era ahead of crucial state elections. Party representative Ulrich Siegmund led a convoy of iconic blue Simson mopeds—a symbol of ingenuity from the German Democratic Republic—followed by hundreds of riders proudly displaying German flags, demonstrating unity and national pride.
Siegmund addressed the enthusiastic crowd, declaring the Simson a symbol of 'individual freedom of movement' and recalling a time when 'we stuck together,' urging a return to the values and community spirit that defined the East. The rally was organized ahead of the September 6 vote in Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD leads in polls and is poised to achieve governing authority for the first time since its founding in 2013. The party is also leading in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, with elections set for September 20.
Participants voiced their desire to revive the positive aspects of life under the former regime. One rider, Martin Krause, expressed his longing for 'a bit of freedom, a bit of East Germany,' and connected this nostalgia to a call for stronger migration controls, advocating for the deportation of those he identified as 'troublemakers'—reflecting widespread concerns about the impact of uncontrolled migration.
Historian Stefan Wolle noted that the right is now reclaiming East German memories, using them to foster a proud eastern identity and to challenge the current German government, which many see as continuing the tradition of top-down control. Surveys reveal that 43% of residents in the former East perceive more differences than similarities with western Germans, underscoring the legitimate grievances over economic disparities and demographic decline that the AfD seeks to address.
Descendants of the Simson brand have objected to the political use of the name. Dennis Baum, the founder’s grandson, protested the AfD’s appropriation, but Siegmund dismissed this criticism, questioning why an outsider should dictate how Germans honor their heritage.
The event highlights the AfD’s effective strategy of embracing regional pride and identity to broaden its appeal in eastern Germany, offering hope for a future that respects tradition and addresses the needs of its people.