Some thoughts from somebody who actually studied in Chemnitz political science (w/ focus on extremism btw) and was engaged in different anti-racism projects on spot. /1
AfD is, at least in Saxony, quite strong. In Chemnitz itself the party scored roughly 25% in the last election. However, the party itself is isolated within the political landscape. /2
There is currently no party who wishes to work with them and outside the AfD electorate there is little appetite for political collaboration. /3
This btw on all three (spatial) dimension of German politics: nationally, on federal state level as well as locally. AfD really just represents itself and their core electorate. /4
Most people outside this circles try to get as much distance between them and oneself. /5
It's little enlightening tbh to ask them for a talk on events in Chemnitz. /6
Furthermore, Bellatrix von Storch is even among AfD on the radical right, which makes an interview w/ her rather to a talk w/ a political curiosity from the radical right. /7
It might have been better, also to provide more context and information for the British audience, to ask from some extremism experts from the local University. /8
Prof. Jesse (Chemnitz University, emeritus) was together with Prof. Backes (Uni Dresden) publisher of the yearbook on democracy and extremism and are quite distinguished researcher. /9
There are even local anti-extremism projects (Network for Democracy and Courage & Work and Live) who might have been able to provide more context. /10
But why providing context and information if you can present political weirdos who are even among their own ranks kind of "outcasts". Politainment at its best. -.- /end
PS: For what it's worth, there are some quite distinguished researchers on German politics and political extremism on Twitter who could provide more context (eg @kai_arzheimer or @APHClarkson).
