Let’s be proud of our wartime record, says German party chief

ONE of the leaders of the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany party (AFD) has provoked outrage after he called for Germans to “reclaim their past” and be proud of the military achievements of the Nazis.

Ahead of elections next weekend, Alexander Gauland said that if Britons can be proud of Winston Churchill then Germans can “be proud of the achievements of German soldiers”.

The 76-year-old said: “No one has so thoroughly cleansed themselves from the wrongs of the past as the Germans,” and told supporters at the rally near Leipzig: “We have the right to reclaim not only our country but also our past.”

He added: “If the French have the right to be proud of their emperor, and the British of Nelson and Churchill, then we have the right to be proud of the proud of the achievements of German soldiers in two world wars.”

His comments came to light when they were posted on Youtube. An opinion poll suggests a surge in support could see the AFD emerge as the main opposition party in Germany.