Katrin Lange's resignation statement in full: For dealing with AfD "I am met with open hatred"

Ladies and gentlemen, when others wanted to abolish the Office for the Protection of the Constitution after the NSU debacle, I advocated for its strengthening. However, I have always been of the opinion that the Office for the Protection of the Constitution must be controlled in a democracy. The intelligence agency should not be able to do whatever it wants. I still hold this opinion today. The former head of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution did not inform me properly about important matters and did so far too late. This is unacceptable.

This fact is not changed by business memos, which, in my opinion, misleadingly reflect the actual course of events. I, for one, feel betrayed. The reasons for the upgrade of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution have not yet been disclosed to the public. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution refuses to publish the classification memo, even in a revised form. I would not want to be responsible for such secrecy either, because only an informed public can critically question the government's actions.

Ladies and gentlemen, the timing of events last week offended my parliamentary group. I fully understand the resulting resentment. This resentment is justified; the parliamentary group was caught off guard, and that was a mistake. I am sorry for this, and I apologize to my parliamentary colleagues. They deserved to be treated differently, and I regret the irritation caused, especially since it is entirely understandable. This could still be rectified. But that's not what we're talking about today.

A lively debate is currently taking place within the Brandenburg SPD. That's a good thing. What's not good is that I'm being subjected to insinuations and defamation that reach into the personal realm. I'm no longer willing to accept such behavior from those who otherwise constantly talk about "respect," "tolerance," and "appreciation."

Ladies and gentlemen, I have been of the opinion for some time that there is reason to critically rethink the form and content of the debate with the AfD. This is because it has been unsuccessful. I am not in favor of a softer approach to the AfD, but rather a better and more effective one; one that finally makes the AfD smaller instead of ever larger. I believe that political challenges in a democracy should primarily be answered politically. I share Richard Schröder's opinion that, with regard to the AfD, it is important "to persuade the sovereign to decide differently in the next election through appropriate offers."

In politics today, I belong to a minority with such a view. There, the instruments of party bans, repression, surveillance, and exclusion are increasingly being relied upon. The substantive debate with the AfD has already been abandoned.

I believe that's wrong. But the learning curve in dealing with the AfD is zero. Many of today's AfD voters – including those in Brandenburg – once voted for the SPD. They voted for Manfred Stolpe, Regine Hildebrandt, Matthias Platzeck, and Dietmar Woidke. At five percent, you could overlook that, but at 30 percent, it starts to get difficult. The AfD as a party is one thing. But I'm not prepared to write off a third of Brandenburg's voters politically. Such a path would further deepen the divisions in our society, severely damage the political culture in Brandenburg, and have devastating consequences for my party. It's a short path to Saxony and Thuringia. Some of my party colleagues will perhaps realize this later – but by then it may be too late.

Such a path would also mean abandoning the liberal tradition of East German social democracy in the wake of the peaceful revolution of 1989. I am not willing to take such a wrong path. I will not allow myself to be swayed.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am not only criticized for such a stance, but I am met with open hatred. Such a stance is said to be illegitimate; it is defamed and discredited by every means possible. It is a disgrace. Because of the truly difficult and hard-to-explain course of events regarding my promotion, the most unthinkable things are being accused of me. Within the party, intrigues are being plotted against me with targeted disinformation. Something like this would have been unthinkable in the SPD Brandenburg before.

The Greens and the Left are stirring up sentiment against me with baseless allegations. The very party that wants to abolish the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution is now suddenly raving about the agency "that's supposed to protect our constitution and thus democracy." I call that hypocritical. And the CDU in Brandenburg is going along with it.

Ladies and gentlemen, even in today's politics, there are limits to the sleaze and baseness that I am prepared to accept. Therefore, I am now drawing the necessary conclusions. I would like to thank my many political companions, Matthias Platzeck, Karl-Heinz Schröter, Katrin Schneider, and especially Dietmar Woidke, who always trusted me and always stood by me.

Brandenburg can consider itself lucky to have such an MP, every inch – and there are quite a few – a true red Prussian.

I would like to thank the emergency services family, the many representatives of Brandenburg's districts and municipalities. We have always worked well together, even in difficult times. It has been a pleasure. On behalf of everyone, I would like to thank Oliver Hermann and Siegurd Heinze. I would also like to thank my colleagues in the various ministries where I have been able to assume responsibility over the past few years. This ranges from the State Secretary and the management departments to the numerous specialist levels, right down to the driver and doorman. They have supported me wonderfully, looked after me, and without them, none of this would have been possible. A very heartfelt thank you to all of you!

My family and friends, who had to do without me so often, also deserve thanks, as do the people of Beveringen, who always treated me like Katrin Lange. I'll also be baking more cakes for the village festivals again!

Finally, I would like to thank the people of Brandenburg. This is a great state with great people. I will always remain committed to their concerns – just in a different way now. Ladies and gentlemen, offices are temporary power. And sudden changes are part of politics. Everyone who is politically active knows that. That's why there's no need to make a drama out of such changes. That's fine. Everything's fine. I will continue my work as an SPD member of the state parliament. It's a wonderful task. I will support the upcoming political projects constructively and critically. I will, of course, not stand for re-election as deputy SPD state chairwoman.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm at peace with myself. I wish the state of Brandenburg and all of you all the best! Thank you very much!"