Germany’s Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht–Vernunft und Gerechtigkeit party (BSW) has sparked controversy by inviting Russia’s ambassador to Germany to a peace-themed art exhibition in the Brandenburg state parliament.
Entitled “War and Peace,” the exhibition features works by Hans and Lea Grundig—artists persecuted by the Nazis, with Lea Grundig later serving on the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party (SED).
Left-wing nationalist BSW parliamentary group leader Niels-Olaf Lüders described the event as a call for peace and international dialogue, noting that numerous ambassadors, including from Belarus and Hungary, will be in attendance alongside Russia’s Sergei Netschajew. According to Lüders
We want to send a call for peace with the exhibition.
The invitation has stirred reactions among coalition partners. Parliamentary leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), Björn Lüttmann stated
As the SPD parliamentary group, we would not currently think of inviting Russia’s ambassador.
State Parliament President Ulrike Liedtke clarified that parliamentary groups independently decide on their guests and that the invitation does not constitute an official state parliament event.
The CDU strongly criticized the BSW’s decision. Parliamentary leader Jan Redmann told Tagesspiegel that providing a platform for Russian officials amid the ongoing war in Ukraine was inappropriate and urged citizens to avoid the event.
The opening of the exhibition is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7th.
