Sorbs protest against AfD proposal in the district of Görlitz

The Lusatian Sorbs Association (Domowina) has criticized the AfD's plans to change the positions of Commissioner for Equality, for Integration and Participation and for the Sorbs in the district of Görlitz. According to the AfD, the Sorbs position should be taken over by an employee of the district office and the other position should be managed on a voluntary basis in future. According to the AfD, the aim is to save costs. However, their proposal was rejected by a clear majority in the district council. However, Domowina sees the request as evidence of the AfD's attitude towards the rights of minorities.

"Minority policy must never be dependent on the cash situation," explained Domowina chairman Dawid Statnik. "It is unacceptable to use tactical arguments to undermine the rights and needs of the Sorbian people in the district of Görlitz. Just three days after the state elections, when representatives of the party were still speaking with the tongues of angels, the AfD is showing its true colors when it comes to the Sorbian people."

The AfD won the district elections in June. With 36.1 percent, it was clearly ahead of the CDU (23.6). The AfD is entitled to 31 seats in the 86-seat district council.

The plans of the Görlitz AfD are reminiscent of a decision by the Bautzen district council. On August 19, the district council abolished the position of commissioner for foreigners in the district at the request of the AfD. There were 47 votes in favor of the motion; the AfD has 32 seats in the district council. The election was held by secret ballot. The Ministry of Social Affairs in Dresden declared the decision inadmissible, as the new Saxon Integration and Participation Act stipulates a full-time employee for this position. The district administration office has a different legal opinion. The decision is currently being reviewed by the state directorate.