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Germany Pegida: Leader Kathrin Oertel quits protest group Germany Pegida: Leader Kathrin Oertel quits protest group
(about 1 hour later)
The new leader of Germany's controversial Pegida anti-Islamisation group Pegida has resigned a week after her predecessor, reports say. The new leader of Germany's controversial Pegida anti-Islamisation group Pegida has resigned a week after her predecessor.
Kathrin Oertel appeared on TV at the weekend and had become the public face of the movement after Lutz Bachmann stepped down. Kathrin Oertel appeared on TV last week and had become the public face of the movement after Lutz Bachmann stepped down.
A photo of Mr Bachman posing as Hitler had been published and he had made disparaging comments about refugees.A photo of Mr Bachman posing as Hitler had been published and he had made disparaging comments about refugees.
Four other leading figures in the group have resigned alongside Ms Oertel.Four other leading figures in the group have resigned alongside Ms Oertel.
One of the five told Bild newspaper that they had resigned because of Mr Bachmann's continuing influence and the role of a separate, sister movement in Leipzig known as Legida.One of the five told Bild newspaper that they had resigned because of Mr Bachmann's continuing influence and the role of a separate, sister movement in Leipzig known as Legida.
Thousands of supporters have joined Pegida marches in several towns and cities in recent weeks, especially in Dresden where the movement began. Thousands of supporters have joined Pegida marches in several towns and cities in recent weeks, especially in Dresden where the movement began. The name stands for "Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West".
The rise of Pegida has prompted Chancellor Angela Merkel and several other German leaders to warn of the dangers of intolerance and racism. Counter marches have also been held in Dresden and elsewhere. 'Hostile messages'
The growth of the movement around Germany has prompted Chancellor Angela Merkel and several other political leaders to warn of the dangers of intolerance and racism.
Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned of the damage that Pegida's "xenophobic and racist slogans and placards" were having on Germany's image abroad. One slogan, "lying press", is seen as harking back to the Nazi era.
After news of the resignations was leaked, a statement appeared on Pegida's Facebook page (in German), in which the group accused the media of "falling over themselves with all sorts of news".
"The fact is, Kathrin has resigned from her post as spokeswoman for the time being. This is because of massive, hostile messages, threats and the disadvantages she has suffered to her career," the statement read.
It was not about personalities, but about the cause, it added.
Ms Oertel had become well known in Germany, after appearing on the widely watched Guenther Jauch talk show on 19 January.