CSU Embarrassed After Awarding Honor to AfD Politician
A Bavarian bookseller's honorary medal for civic work and combating antisemitism sparked outrage from leftist politicians because he is an Alternative for Germany member.
Michael Genniges, a retired bookseller from Scheßlitz near Bamberg, received the silver medal on May 28 in recognition of his contributions to the region. According to Nius, the annual honor is bestowed upon individuals who have shaped Upper Franconia with dedication, passion, and exceptional commitment to the common good.
Genniges served as chairman of the German-Israeli Society (DIG) in Bamberg until 2021, an organization dedicated to fostering strong relations between Germany and Israel. His social media profile displays messages of support for Ukraine and Israel, including the Hebrew phrase “Am Israel Chai” meaning “The People of Israel Lives.” His departure from the DIG leadership coincided with his decision to join the AfD, as the organization politically aligns with parties on the left side of the so-called firewall against the AfD.
The district praised Genniges for becoming an important catalyst for literature, dialogue, and social cohesion through his work as a bookseller, event organizer, and co-founder of the Bamberg Literature Festival. Yet this recognition has drawn fierce criticism from those committed to maintaining a political cordon sanitaire around the AfD.
Green Party district councilor Wolfgang Grader acknowledged that honoring distinguished individuals is generally commendable, but insisted that anyone who invests time and energy in a party that openly undermines the rule of law disqualifies himself from such recognition. The German-Israeli Society echoed this sentiment, claiming that honoring an AfD politician for his work against antisemitism is not only contradictory but misleading.
Genniges himself remains unperturbed by the controversy. He told the Süddeutsche Zeitung that he will continue his commitment to German-Israeli relations as he always has. I find it good that the firewall ultimately did not apply in this matter, he said, suggesting that the uproar from what he termed firewall fetishists may belong to the final gasps before the wall collapses.
District officials have stood by the award, stating that no facts are known that would formally prevent or contradict the conferral of the honorary medal to Genniges.
The CSU in Upper Franconia, however, appears to have adopted a more contrite posture under media pressure. Party chairman Christian Meißner told Bavarian public broadcaster that they have reason to repent, claiming that district councilors only examined Genniges more closely after numerous recent press reports.
This explanation appears questionable, as Nius confirms that the AfD itself nominated Genniges for the honor, meaning CSU councilors who voted for him were well aware of his party affiliation. Furthermore, the purported closer examination reportedly yielded no new findings. Genniges’ Facebook presence remains entirely unremarkable, featuring travel photos from motorcycle trips and expressions of patriotism and support for Israel and Ukraine.
The episode illustrates the continuing political tensions in Germany over whether civic achievements should be recognized regardless of party affiliation, or whether membership in the AfD constitutes an automatic disqualification from public honors. For Genniges and the district administration, the answer is clear. For media outlets and opposition politicians demanding ideological conformity, the controversy continues.
With information from Nius
