BERLIN – A leading politician for the Alternative for Germany (AfD), Arthur Wagner, known for his anti-Muslim rhetoric has quit his leadership role after converting to Islam, the party confirmed on Thursday.
The AfD, which is the third largest party in the Bundestag, gained notoriety for its anti-Muslim rhetoric, including the slogan “Islam has no place in Germany.”
Arthur Wagner quit his leading post within the party, which believes Islam is incompatible with the country’s constitution, The AfD is also calling for a ban on the burqa.
Leading German far-right politician converts to Islam, quits party. Arthur Wagner elected for Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in September. Slogans included ‘Islam has no place in Germany.’ AfD is 3rd-largest in parliament, will become main opposition if top 2 form coalition.
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Earlier this month, an AfD lawmaker caused a furore after accusing police of “appeasing the barbaric, Muslim, rapist hordes of men” by tweeting in Arabic.
The party said it stood for the constitutional right of religious freedom, regardless of Wagner’s conversion, reports Evening Standard.
“Mr Wagner could also choose another religion,” Daniel Friese, a spokesman of the party, told Berliner Zeitung, adding that Mr Wagner had resigned from the board two weeks ago.
Leading member of Germany’s far-right AfD party has converted to Islam and resigned from his position https://t.co/cZ3R2IXhHX pic.twitter.com/U38O7RSw7r
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“The controversial politician resigned on January 11 from the state board on his own volition. Only afterwards was it known that he had converted to Islam,” Friese told media.
Mr Wagner declined to comment on his conversion. “He does not want to speak with the press. He believes it is a private affair,” the party spokesman added.
