Klaus Esser, an AfD state parliament member from Düren, has stepped down from his party’s faction and state board following investigations by the Aachen public prosecutor’s office.
Klaus Esser resigned from his positions in the AfD to protect the party from harm. This comes after the Aachen public prosecutor’s office received two criminal complaints against him and confirmed preliminary investigations. According to the “Rheinische Post,” these allegations involve inconsistencies in his application documents, including falsifying his résumé.
The local newspaper reported that Esser claimed to be a lawyer and to have passed the first state law examination, even providing corresponding certificates.
Esser denies accusations
Esser has denied the accusations, asserting that his résumé was falsified by others to cause internal party damage. He stated, “The subject of the accusations dates back four years or more. They aim to destroy me politically and existentially, and to destabilize our successful state association.”
He claimed the allegations were “prepared by destructive individuals within our party and deliberately leaked to the press.” Esser refrained from commenting further on the accusations, citing ongoing investigations, but emphasized the presumption of innocence. Despite resigning from the board, Esser intends to continue his work in the state parliament.
