With controversial statements in Frankfurt am Main, the mayor of Tübingen, Boris Palmer, has drawn heavy criticism. There is a lack of understanding not only among those involved there, but also in Baden-Württemberg. Lawyer Rezzo hose turned away from Palmer, the Tübingen green city association distanced itself.
Palmer caused a stir on Friday with a verbal argument with a group in front of a migration conference in Frankfurt am Main. In front of a building at the Goethe University, he had taken a stand on the way in which he used the “N-word”. When faced with shouts of “Nazis out,” Palmer said to the crowd, “It’s nothing but the Star of David. It’s because I used a word that you tie everything else to. When you say the wrong word , you’re a Nazi. Think about it.” Several media reported on the incident. The so-called N-word describes a racist term for black people that was used in Germany in the past.
Palmer’s lawyer, Schlauch, said: “Immediately after I became aware of the scandal for which Boris Palmer is responsible in Frankfurt, I gave up my personal and political loyalty and support, as well as my legal representation.” Hose, who used to be politically active for the Greens himself, explained further: “No provocation, no matter how harsh, no insults and insults, no matter how vile, of radical left-wing provocateurs justified establishing a historical parallel to the Jewish star as a symbol of the persecution of the Jews in Nazi Germany. Da there is nothing left to explain, defend or excuse.” Hose had legally represented Palmer in the party order process and also supported him in the election campaign in Tübingen.
The Green City Association of Tübingen condemned “the repeated use of the N-word and the unacceptable comparison with the Star of David” by Palmer. “We regret that many people were again injured by statements made by Boris Palmer.”
Palmer defends his use of the N-word
As Palmer confirmed to the dpa, the statements made in Frankfurt were so popular. “I used the protesters’ method of stamping, shouting down and ostracizing me as a Nazi and racist as a comparison,” Palmer explained the context from his point of view. He explained to the protesters that Nazis had smeared swastikas on the graves of his ancestors and replied that “their method of ostracism and exclusion is no different from the Jewish star”.
Palmer also acknowledged Nazi persecution of his Jewish ancestors. His family was just able to evade the Star of David by fleeing. “My father Helmut was called Moses at school and was sentenced to prison several times after the war for calling Nazis Nazis,” Palmer wrote on Facebook. He also explained that he says the “N-word” because he doesn’t accept language rules. However, “the highly controversial word” is not part of his active vocabulary. “I only use it when there’s a discussion about whether you’re already a racist if you use it. For me, the context decides that.”
Criticism of Palmer mounts
Both Hesse’s Justice Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) and the President of Goethe University, Enrico Schleiff, had previously condemned Palmer’s statements. Palmer had spoken there at the conference “Managing Migration, Shaping Plurality. Challenges of Immigration Policy in Germany”.
Back in May 2021, Palmer used the so-called N-word in a Facebook post about former soccer player Dennis Aogo, who has a Nigerian father. This had triggered massive criticism from his Green party colleagues at the time. A party expulsion process ended a year ago with the compromise that Palmer would suspend his party membership until the end of 2023. In October 2022 he ran in Tübingen as an independent candidate and was re-elected for a third term in the first ballot with an absolute majority.
The green state party initially did not comment on the recent incident. The federal manager of the Greens, Emily Büning, said on Twitter with reference to Palmer’s dormant membership that this step was “not without reason”. “Boris Palmer’s recent low point can’t stand still.”
Palmer has been mayor of the Swabian university town since 2007. With pointed statements, for example on refugee policy, he repeatedly caused controversy and was exposed to accusations of racism. However, his management during the corona pandemic also brought nationwide attention and recognition. Baden-Württemberg’s Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) had pressed shortly after Palmer’s re-election for Palmer’s re-election to the Greens more quickly.
