During a recent AfD event, co-chair Tino Chrupalla called for the German national anthem to be sung, but guest performer Uwe Steimle instead led the audience in the DDR anthem ‘Auferstanden aus Ruinen.’ Despite Chrupalla’s attempts to redirect the performance, many attendees joined in, prompting a mixed response from party leaders. Following derogatory remarks made by Steimle about prominent CDU figures, the Dessau-Roßlau public prosecutor’s office has initiated an investigation against him. Chrupalla defended the event, criticizing the backlash and praising the DDR anthem’s relevance.