AfD: Klaus Esser should no longer employ non-working senior - AfD lawmaker hires 85-year-old relative, sparking nepotism debate in Germany
An 80-year-old woman is reportedly employed in the office of an AfD state parliamentarian, raising questions about her actual duties and internal party connections.
Klaus Esser, an AfD member of the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament, is said to employ a woman who appears no longer capable of working. According to Der Spiegel, Rosemarie Z., born in 1940 and thus in her mid-80s, is officially listed as a staff member in Esser's parliamentary office. The magazine claims to have obtained relevant documents.
Not only does her advanced age cast doubt on whether she actually works for the office, but reports suggest her husband, Werner Z., often leaves party events early, citing the need not to leave his wife alone at home for too long.
Party insiders told Der Spiegel that Werner Z. is part of an internal network linked to Esser. By employing his wife, Esser allegedly secures his loyalty. Werner Z. himself is said to be employed by an MEP close to Esser's circle. The MEP has denied any connection between Z.'s employment and internal party maneuvering.
When asked by the DPA news agency, Esser dismissed allegations of nepotism, claiming he was instead promoting the "participation of older people." He emphasized that his employee is "mentally very fit" and prepares minor parliamentary inquiries and motions from home. "Society and parliament talk a lot about the inclusion of older people—if you put it into practice, suddenly it's supposed to be wrong," Esser told DPA.
Esser has represented the AfD in the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament since June 2022. Within the party, he is currently barred from holding office after allegedly violating rules during the admission of new members. He also faces court proceedings over suspected forged academic credentials.
In recent weeks, multiple cases have emerged nationwide of AfD lawmakers employing family members. Media reports indicate that several relatives of AfD state politicians from Saxony-Anhalt are working in the offices of AfD federal parliamentarians.
Amid the debate, party co-leader Alice Weidel has called for legislative reforms to clarify existing rules. Speaking to The Pioneer news portal on Friday, Weidel said her faction had been "sensitized" to the issue by the current discussion and was prepared to draft a legal amendment covering the employment of relatives in ministries and government agencies.
While Weidel stated that, to her knowledge, "no illegal activities have been identified," she acknowledged that her faction is "ready to work with other parliamentary groups to develop a legislative amendment that makes the rules on hiring family members more precise and transparent."
She argued that, given the growing number of reported cases, "the employment of relatives and close associates in ministries, authorities, and public administration—as well as potential favoritism in appointing them to high political offices and senior government positions—must be more strictly regulated." She warned that the risk of abuse in this area is "far greater."
The Spiegel reported that the Z. couple declined to comment when contacted.
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