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Scandal surrounding Klützer mayor: new elections after anti-Semitism allegations!
After allegations of anti-Semitism in Klütz, Mayor Mevius resigns; New elections on February 1, 2026 and cultural challenges.
Scandal surrounding Klützer mayor: new elections after anti-Semitism allegations!
The city of Klütz is currently the focus of a heated debate that is causing waves not only locally, but also nationally. Mayor Jürgen Mevius was farewelled by city officials on Monday evening after he came under fire for canceling a planned reading by prominent Jewish journalist Michel Friedman. This decision caused a massive shitstorm and was seen as an accusation of anti-Semitism by Oliver Hintz, the head of the Klützer literary house “Uwe Johnson”. [Nordkurier] reports that this dispute caused Mevius to resign from his position in order to give the city a fresh start.
Mevius, who was also supported by some Klütz residents, said the last few weeks had been particularly challenging for him. Nevertheless, there were positive discussions about the future of the literary house. His formal resignation opened the door to new elections, which will take place on February 1, 2026. Guntram Jung, the previous deputy, will take over the business as an interim successor. The city council has also decided not to continue working with the previous director of the Literaturhaus. The planned Hannah Arendt Week, which was supposed to take place from November 10th to 14th, 2025, was canceled due to various cancellations by artists. However, a ray of hope in the coming period is a reading with the author Grit Poppe, which will take place on November 12, 2025 at Grenzhus Schlagsdorf.
Discussion about freedom of expression and cultural values
Michel Friedman's disinvitation didn't just shake up the citizens of Klütz. Felix Klein, the federal government's anti-Semitism commissioner, also spoke out clearly against this decision and criticized it as an attack on freedom of expression. Klein described the community's fear of possible disruption by right-wing extremists as a pretext, as the event was not scheduled to take place for over a year. He called on the community to quickly reverse the decision in its own interest. [ZDF] reports that the controversy surrounding the reading casts a negative shadow on the values of tolerance, diversity and freedom of expression in Klütz.
Mayor Mevius rejected Friedman's allegations and pointed to financial reasons for the cancellation, as his fee was higher than for other readings. Friedman himself criticized the decision and pointed out that freedom of art and expression must not be jeopardized through intimidation. As a result, a Berlin club announced a demonstration against the disinvitation, which is planned for next Monday.
The future of the literary house “Uwe Johnson”
The controversy over Friedman's reading also raises questions about the future of the literary house. Despite the controversy, the literary house's support association plans to secure the center as a place of culture and exchange. However, the city council is currently divided about further cooperation with the previous manager. A clear line is not yet visible here - we can only hope that Klütz can again become an inviting place for different perspectives in the future.
The developments surrounding Klütz are far-reaching and invite discussion. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the coming months, especially with the upcoming elections and the desire for a cultural fresh start.