Cancellation of the DKP event: Controversies surrounding Arnold Schölzel in Bergedorf!

Cancellation of the DKP event: Controversies surrounding Arnold Schölzel in Bergedorf!

There is currently excitement in Hamburg-Bergedorf about an upcoming event by the German Communist Party (DKP) with the former editor-in-chief of “junge Welt”, Arnold Schölzel. The event was planned for November 27th as part of the “Week of Remembrance”, but the AG Commemoration of the local town hall alliance against right-wing extremism has now canceled it. The reason for this is the clear biographical entanglements of Schölzel, who worked as an unofficial employee of the State Security (Stasi) in the GDR from 1967 to 1989, like [junge World](https://www.jungewelt.de/artikel/512710.ag-gedenken-in-hamburg-bergedorf-sagen-dkp- Veranstaltung-mit-arnold-schölzel-nach-fdp-denunziation-ab.html) reported.

Schölzel has never made a secret of his past and does not regret his actions, which is unacceptable for the Commemoration Working Group. This initiative, dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Third Reich, echoed the arguments of the FDP, which had previously made a small request regarding the upcoming event. The FDP viewed Schölzel's invitation as unacceptable and criticized the DKP, which he represents as a member, as left-wing extremist.

Biographical background of Arnold Schölzel

Arnold Angelus Schölzel, born on October 21, 1947 in Ritterhude, is not only a journalist, but also a controversial politician. He joined the SPD as a teenager, but deserted from the Bundeswehr in 1967 and settled in the GDR. There he worked as an unofficial employee of the Stasi and was suspended from teaching in 1991 because of his IM work. His role was discussed in the documentary film “Betrayed – Six Friends and an Informant”. Despite his controversial past, Schölzel remains active in politics and ran, among other things, for the DKP in the 2019 European elections and the 2021 federal election.

The AG Commemoration has emphasized that it distances itself from any totalitarianism and that all members of the initiative stand on the basis of democracy. It was also made clear that one cannot agree to work with speakers who take such a stance. Schölzel, who is currently also editor-in-chief of the monthly magazine “Rotfuchs”, plans to hold the canceled event at another location.

A look back and the questions of the present

The debate surrounding the event raises many questions, not only about the period of communism in the GDR, but also about the current challenges in dealing with the topics of right-wing extremism and totalitarianism. The report published by the Bundestearchiv on the perception and interpretation of right-wing extremism in the GDR illuminates the deep connections between historical and modern political movements and their impact on society.

The AG Commemoration and the FDP see their decision as a necessary step in responsibility towards the victims of the dictatorship. How the situation will develop remains to be seen, but the fundamental questions about the role of the former IM and their current political activities remain on the agenda.