The parliamentary group of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the Brandenburg state parliament is drawing on the history of the German Empire for its public events, using cardboard cut-outs of both party leaders and historical figures.
The life-sized cardboard figures show not only AfD national chairpersons Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, but also historical figures like Reich Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, Reich President Otto von Hindenburg and Emperor Wilhelm II.
Paul von Hindenburg (1847-1934) was president of the German Reich during the Weimar Republic and is regarded by many as "Hitler's enabler," having appointed him Reich chancellor, thereby paving the way for the dictatorship.
Bismarck (1815-1898) drove forward the founding of the German Empire and introduced social insurance, but took action against the Catholic Church and banned the Social Democratic Party.
Wilhelm II (1859-1941) was the last German Emperor. He contributed to the outbreak of World War I.
AfD parliamentary group leader Hans-Christoph Berndt warned against what he called "demonizing" historical figures.
"Hindenburg was, after all, the only freely elected president of the German Empire," Berndt said when asked about Hindenburg. He was "certainly someone who contributed greatly to stabilization in the 1920s."
The cardboard cut-outs had been set up with a touch of humour so that people could have their photograph taken with them, he added. "This isn't meant to be hero worship."
The Brandenburg Office for the Protection of the Constitution classifies the AfD in the state as a far-right extremist organization. The party is appealing the classification in court.