Sebastian Krumbiegel, the singer of the Leipzig-based band Die Prinzen, has advocated for greater understanding of those who vote for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, while clarifying that he does not approve of their voting decisions.
In an interview with Playboy, the 60-year-old singer stated that he is far from insulting everyone who chooses the AfD. He added that while feeling neglected is 'naturally no reason to vote far-right,' it remains necessary to understand the motivations behind such choices. 'Despite everything, they are not zombies,' Krumbiegel said.
Krumbiegel attributed some of these voting patterns to people in rural areas who feel left behind due to a lack of infrastructure or a lack of local social hubs like pubs and clubs.
Political concerns and ideological boundaries
The singer expressed concern regarding a worldwide 'relapse into nation-state and völkisch thoughts,' describing recent political developments as 'quite frightening,' noting that this trend is present beyond eastern regions. He also stated that the corridor between conservative and reactionary attitudes is often very narrow.
While maintaining his distance from racist and antisemitic positions, Krumbiegel noted that when encountering such rhetoric, one must say, 'this far and no further.' He has called for opposing antisemitism from the right, the left, and from the religious-Muslim side.
In April, during a memorial event for the liberation of the Mittelbau-Dora concentration camp, Krumbiegel warned that the language used in parliaments and talk shows—not only by the far-right, but sometimes by conservatives—contributes to the resurgence of antisemitic and reactionary developments.
The Mittelbau-Dora concentration camp was liberated on April 11, 1945, following a period where most prisoners were sent on 'death marches.' During the liberation, US troops found several hundred sick and dying prisoners who had been left behind by the SS during the evacuation of the camp.
