Bavarian MP accused of Hitler salute amid anti-Semitism scandal

A damaging new allegation emerged against the deputy leader of Bavaria, Hubert Aiwanger, who has spent days trying to pull himself out of an anti-Semitism scandal from his high school years, reported dpa.

A former classmate told German public broadcaster ARD on Wednesday that Aiwanger at times made a Hitler salute when entering classrooms.

Aiwanger had "very often imitated these Hitler speeches in this Hitler slang," the classmate said. He also "definitely" made Jew-hating jokes.

It was difficult to say what "strong sentiments" had been behind this, the classmate, who was not named, told the channel.

Aiwanger did not respond to a query by dpa on Wednesday, nor did the spokespersons for the Free Voters and state economy ministry.

Aiwanger is the leader of the conservative Free Voters party, which is part of Bavaria's ruling coalition but does not have a national presence.

The latest charges came after Aiwanger was accused of distributing an offensive pamphlet at his high school in Bavaria during the 1987-88 school year.

The pamphlet, according to a report by the Süddeutsche Zeitng newspaper, joked about the Auschwitz death camp, where historians estimate the Nazis murdered 1.1 million people, the overwhelming majority of them Jews.

Aiwanger denied the allegation. His older brother claimed responsibility instead, although Ainwanger did admit that "one or a few copies" had been found in his school bag.

Bavarian premier Markus Söder demanded a swift explanation.

"All questions must be clarified beyond doubt. No suspicion must be left," Söder said on the sidelines of a meeting, saying this applied to the latest accusation as well.

Germany's chancellor and other senior government members have also called for clarification and possible consequences.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz told his Cabinet on Wednesday: "All that has become known so far is very depressing. And that is why it is very clear to me that everything must be clarified."

Bavaria is set to vote in state parliamentary elections on October 8. So far, Söder has said he will stick with Aiwanger until the issue is clarified.