During a televised debate on German public television last week in the run-up to federal elections, trained left-wing activists posing as “average” members of the public went on the attack during a Q&A session with Christian Democratic Union (CDU) chancellor candidate Armin Laschet.
Two school-aged girls, Maia and Leonie, were permitted to ask questions Laschet during the “election area” (Wahlarena) on ARD, which ran the debate in the German city of Lübeck.
However, the female students were not just students but committed climate activists who were especially trained for their appearance on the talk show by an extremist organization headed by Emily Laquer. She heads an openly communist, left-wing extremist organization, part of the “interventionist left.” The organization is also officially under observation from the Office of the Protection of the Constitution, which is tasked with monitoring radical groups and individuals that threaten the constitutional foundation of the German state.
The two girls, along with another activist, used the opportunity to go on the attack against Laschet. Although Laschet was supposed to be fielding questions, Maia directed more of an accusation against him.
“Your climate policy has been a catastrophe in recent years, marked by blatant wrong decisions and scandals!” said Maia to Laschet.
Questions are now being asked how the activists were selected for the discussion, and who among the moderators was potentially behind organizing the attempt to embarrass Laschet in the run-up to the elections.
“What is this ARD? During your Wahlareana, specially-trained leftist activists were invited to let loose on Laschet. Emily Lacquer, a leftist radical according to the Office of the Protection of the Constitution, is openly happy,” wrote Philip Plicket, a journalist and author, on Twitter.
Plicket added photos of Twitter messages between Lacquer and the activist she recruited, who were celebrating on the social media platform.
Laquer wrote, “The 15-year-old Maia Elisabeth confronted Armin Laschet today at 8:15 p.m. on the ARD Vote Areana. This incredible activist from Fridays For Future Hamburg I got to know during the last “Hard but left” talk show training workshop. Because social meida is awesome, all of you should show your support!”
Maia responded to Laquer, writing, “Thanks to that training, I was super prepared to finish him [Laschet] off,” to which Laquer responded with raised fist emojis.
