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Minister of State for Culture Roth (M., at the “Augsburg against the Right” demonstration on February 3rd)

Photo: Michael Bihlmayer / Bihlmayerfotografie / IMAGO

Should AfD politicians be invited to the Berlinale opening? No, said numerous filmmakers who called for the invitations to be revoked in an open letter dated February 2nd. The US magazine “Deadline” first reported on the document. It can no longer be found online now.

Of all people, Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (Greens) has now defended the festival management's actions - with reference to democratic practice. "At our suggestion, the members of the cultural committee of the German Bundestag, which is responsible for policy matters, were also invited to the opening of the Berlinale, which was also made possible with significant federal funding," said a spokesman for Roth in a statement. This corresponds to democratic practice "and the federal government's respect for parliament and its elected representatives."

The AfD is represented in the Bundestag's Committee for Culture and Media with MPs Marc Jongen and Martin Erwin Renner as full members. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution is treating the AfD as a suspected right-wing extremist case.

“Anti-democratic forces”

In his reaction, however, Roth's spokesman emphasized the Green politician's "great regret" that the AfD is even represented in parliament: "In Claudia Roth's view, anti-democratic, anti-rule-of-law and racist political forces have no place in the German Bundestag."

The Berlinale and its program show a cosmopolitan and diverse Germany, the spokesman wrote, the film festival stands "for the freedom of art and for the fight against racism, exclusion and discrimination." Roth will always support, protect and defend that. »This is what the overwhelming majority of invited guests should and will definitely support and will all stand for exactly that.«

If AfD MPs accept the invitations to the Berlinale opening, they would have to endure “being confronted with exactly this very clearly at the Berlinale. Otherwise they should stay away.”

“We campaign against every form of exclusion”

The Berlinale had previously also referred to the AfD representatives' status as representatives. At the same time, it was emphasized: "We are committed to opposing any form of exclusion and discrimination and consistently stand up for the values ​​of a cosmopolitan and liberal democracy."

A statement went on to say: "People - including elected officials - who violate these fundamental values ​​are not welcome at the Berlinale." This will be made clear and emphatic in personal letters to AfD representatives and on other occasions.

Along with Cannes and Venice, the Berlinale is one of the world's largest film festivals. The next edition runs from February 15th to 25th.

Feb/dpa