Marcus Pretzell
Marcus Pretzell (born 16 July 1973) is a German politician and was Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Germany from 2016 to 2019. He was a member of the Alternative for Germany, part of the Europe of Nations and Freedom[1] and is now member of The Blue Party.
Marcus Pretzell | |
---|---|
Member of the European Parliament | |
In office 1 May 2015 – 1 July 2019 | |
Constituency | Germany |
Personal details | |
Born | Rinteln, Germany | 16 July 1973
Political party | Alternative for Germany (2013–2017) Die Blaue Partei (2017–present) |
Spouse(s) | Frauke Petry (m. 2015) |
Children | 6 |
Alma mater | University of Heidelberg |
In April 2016, Pretzell attracted controversy and criticism after stating that he supported "The defence of the German border with armed force" against asylum seekers. As a result, on 12 April 2016, he was expelled from the European Conservatives and Reformists group.[2] Following this, he joined Marine Le Pen's Europe of Nations and Freedom faction.[3]
During a speech at an AfD party convention in Essen, 4–5 July 2015, he said, "We had the discussion about whether we were the Euro party or the Pegida party. We are both."[4]
Pretzell is involved in the AfD donation scandal. Beside of him the AfD Federal – and European – politicians Alice Weidel, Jörg Meuthen and Guido Reil profited from unnamed donaters. Public prosecutor's office Konstanz and the office of Bundestag determine since 2018. The acceptance of donations from non-EU countries is prohibited for German parties; with the exception of donations from German or European companies.
References
- European Conservatives and Reformists Group. European Parliament MEPs. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- "German AfD lawmaker evicted from conservative group in EU legislature". Europe online. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
- "Petrys Partner wechselt ins Lager von Marine Le Pen". Die Welt. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
- Fröhlich, Christoph (26 March 2016). "In diesem Interview wird Frauke Petry ordentlich auseinandergenommen". Stern. Retrieved 14 June 2016.