Prominent figure in German far-right party stands trial over alleged use of Nazi slogan

By GEIR MOULSON and KERSTIN SOPKE
Associated Press

HALLE, Germany (AP) — One of the most prominent figures in the far-right Alternative for Germany party has gone on trial on charges of using a Nazi slogan. The trial on Thursday came months ahead of an election in which he plans to run to become his state’s governor. Björn Höcke is the leader of the regional branch of Alternative for Germany or AfD in the eastern state of Thuringia and a powerful figure on the party’s hard right. Höcke is charged with using symbols of unconstitutional organizations. He is accused of ending a speech in 2021 with the words “Everything for Germany!” Prosecutors contend he was aware of the origin of the phrase as a slogan of the Nazis’ SA stormtroopers.