Politics · Germany · 8 hrs ago
Opposition criticises AfD lawmaker over alleged White Power gesture
AfD lawmaker Tommy Thormann was accused of making a White Power gesture during the first sitting of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s new state parliament in Schwerin.
A video he posted on Instagram showed him making a circle with his thumb and index finger, with the other fingers extended.
The gesture is used by some far-right groups as a symbol of white supremacy, but it is also a familiar sign for “okay” among divers.
The Left, SPD and Greens condemned the gesture and called for consequences.
The SPD called for Thormann to be removed from the AfD parliamentary group, while the Left asked the state parliament president to have the incident reviewed and consider a formal reprimand.
The AfD said Thormann meant it as a greeting, not a political symbol.
The parliament’s presiding board may review the incident, but no decision is reported.
Opposition parties criticised AfD lawmaker Tommy Thormann over a hand gesture shown in a video from the new state parliament’s inaugural session.
The Left, SPD and Greens said the gesture was a “White Power” symbol used in far-right circles.
The AfD parliamentary group said Thormann meant it as a greeting and rejected claims that it was a political symbol.
The SPD called for Thormann to be expelled from the AfD parliamentary group.
The Left’s group leader asked the state parliament president to have the incident reviewed and consider reprimanding Thormann.
- Who
- AfD lawmaker Tommy Thormann, and opposition politicians from the Left, SPD and Greens.
- What
- Thormann was criticised over a hand gesture in a video from parliament. Opposition parties said it was a “White Power” symbol; the AfD said it was a greeting.
- When
- During the inaugural session of the new state parliament; the article was published on 21 October 2026.
- Where
- The Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state parliament in Schwerin, Germany.
- Why
- The gesture is used by far-right groups as a symbol of “White Power,” according to the article. It is also known among divers as a sign for “Okay.
Opposition parties
AfD parliamentary group
Meaning of gesture
Opposition parties
The Left, SPD and Greens said it was a “White Power” gesture associated with far-right groups.
AfD parliamentary group
The AfD said Thormann meant “Läuft” and that the gesture was a greeting, not a political symbol.
Consequences
Opposition parties
The SPD called for Thormann’s immediate expulsion from the AfD parliamentary group; the Left called for a review and possible reprimand.
AfD parliamentary group
The AfD rejected the opposition’s speculation about the gesture.
Thormann was filmed making a hand gesture in the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state parliament in Schwerin.
The Left, SPD and Greens criticised the gesture, while the AfD said it was a greeting rather than a political symbol.
Hennis Herbst asked the state parliament president to have the incident reviewed and consider reprimanding Thormann.
- Lawmaker
- Tommy Thormann, AfD
- Parliament
- Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state parliament
- Location
- Schwerin
- Gesture
- Thumb and index finger formed a circle while the other fingers were extended
- SPD demand
- Immediate expulsion of Thormann from the AfD parliamentary group
- AfD explanation
- The gesture meant “Läuft” and was not a political symbol
1 source
What people are saying
The state parliament must not let such provocations go unanswered.
This is not tolerable and unworthy of a German state parliament.
We hereby make clear once again that, for us and for Mr Thormann, this is not a political symbol.
A parliamentary group that tolerates such symbolism among its ranks disqualifies itself from any responsibility in the state parliament presidium.