Deputy premier in Germany's Bavaria survives anti-Semitism row

The deputy premier of Germany's southern state of Bavaria, Hubert Aiwanger, has described anti-Semitic allegations against him as a failed political campaign, as he won backing from the state's leader to stay in office, reported dpa.

The political crisis has dominated headlines in German media for the past week, and forced conservative Bavarian premier Markus Söder - also an influential figure on the national political stage - into a difficult situation.

Söder announced at a press conference in Munich on Sunday that he would not dismiss Aiwanger over the scandal involving an anti-Semitic leaflet from his school days.

Söder said that he had talked at length with Aiwanger before making his decision, and considered that sacking him would not be a proportionate.

He stressed that "anti-Semitism has no place in Bavaria."

Aiwanger, the leader of the right-wing Free Voters party, said almost simultaneously on Sunday that his opponents had "failed in their smear campaign."

"This was a dirty scheme," Aiwanger said during a campaign event. "The Free Voters were supposed to be weakened." However, Aiwanger stated that the party had been "strengthened" by the allegations. "We have a clear conscience."

Söder, from the Christian Social Union (CSU) said he would stick to his coalition with the Free Voters despite the scandal.

On October 8, a new state parliament will be elected in Germany's largest state by area.

Söder justified his decision not to dismiss Aiwanger, stating that he had "made serious mistakes in his youth, which he has admitted. Secondly, he has apologized for it, distanced himself from it, and expressed remorse."

"There is no evidence that he authored or disseminated the leaflet to this day, whereas he has clearly stated that he was not involved."

Aiwanger's brother had claimed responsibility for publishing the leaflet.

"All of this happened indeed 35 years ago," Söder went on. "Hardly any of us today are the same as we were at the age of 16."