In Filderstadt, Germany, three individuals affiliated with the Grey Wolves, a Turkish extremist group, are running as candidates for the SPD in upcoming local elections. Photos have emerged showing these candidates’ connections to the right-wing Turkish extremists. The SPD Bundestag member Nils Schmid expressed regret for attending a Ramadan iftar event at a mosque in Filderstadt, which is linked to the Grey Wolves. The mosque is associated with the Federation of Turkish Democratic Idealist Organizations, the umbrella organization for the Grey Wolves in Germany.
The German-Turkish Friendship Association in Filderstadt, to which the mosque belongs, is a member of the Grey Wolves umbrella organization and regularly pays tribute to Turkish right-wing extremist thinkers online. The Grey Wolves are known for their nationalist, racist, and antisemitic beliefs, targeting groups such as Kurds, Alevis, Jews, and Turkish leftists. At least three individuals connected to the Grey Wolves are running for local elections on behalf of the SPD in Filderstadt, highlighting the close ties between the party and the extremist group.
Among the SPD candidates with ties to the Grey Wolves is Gülten Ilbay, who has been photographed making the Grey Wolves’ distinctive hand gesture, which symbolizes their nationalist ideology. Another candidate, Hasan Arslan, was also pictured in front of a flag associated with the Grey Wolves. These candidates’ connections to the extremist group raise concerns about their suitability for public office. The SPD has faced criticism for allowing individuals affiliated with the Grey Wolves to run as candidates in the local elections.
Ali Ertan Toprak, a leader in the Kurdish community in Germany, expressed concern about the SPD’s association with Turkish extremists and called for consistent efforts to combat all forms of extremism. He emphasized the importance of not tolerating double standards when it comes to dealing with extremists, urging the SPD to uphold its principles against right-wing extremism at all levels of government. The revelations about the candidates’ ties to the Grey Wolves have sparked debate about the party’s stance on extremism and its commitment to inclusive politics.
Despite calls for transparency and accountability, the SPD organizations in Filderstadt and Esslingen have not responded to inquiries about the candidates’ affiliations with the Grey Wolves. The lack of communication from the party leadership raises questions about their willingness to address the issue and take appropriate action. As the local elections approach, voters are likely to consider the candidates’ connections to extremist groups when making their decisions at the polls. The implications of these revelations could have broader implications for the SPD’s reputation and stance on extremism in Germany.
