Brandenburg’s CDU Vice-faction leader, Frank Bommert, has ignited a fresh wave of controversy after inadvertently sharing a video featuring historical Wehrmacht military vehicles. The clip, posted on Instagram, reportedly depicted enthusiasts at a military vehicle gathering, some dressed in uniforms and riding restored German Wehrmacht motorcycles. The sensitive nature of the imagery, linked to Germany’s WWII history, quickly drew sharp criticism and public attention, leading to the swift deletion of the post. This incident underscores the delicate balance politicians must maintain when engaging with digital platforms and historical representations, particularly those with such a loaded past. The video’s brief appearance was enough to spark significant debate.
Bommert provided an explanation for the contentious upload, stating he received the video from an acquaintance and intended to forward it privately to a friend. According to his statement to the “B.Z.,” he mistakenly pressed the “Story” button instead of the “Weiterleiten” (forward) option on Instagram. He claimed to have realized his error only after approximately 20 minutes, when he received an inquiry about the post. Upon discovering the mix-up, Bommert asserts he immediately removed the video. However, by then, the footage had already been seen and circulated, highlighting the irreversible nature of digital content sharing once it enters the public domain, even for a short period.
The Brandenburger CDU has reacted firmly to the incident. Steeven Bretz, the CDU faction leader, publicly “distanced himself in aller Deutlichkeit” from the content and its dissemination, as confirmed by a faction spokesperson. The party has announced that the matter will be “internally besprochen und aufgearbeitet” (discussed and processed internally) in the short term. Bretz is expected to hold a personal meeting with Bommert to address the situation. While acknowledging the immediate deletion of the video, the CDU emphasized the seriousness of the content, indicating that such portrayals are unacceptable for a party representative, aiming to mitigate potential damage to the party’s image.
This is not the first time Frank Bommert has faced public backlash over his digital communications. Earlier in 2024, he caused an uproar with a WhatsApp status message. In that instance, he controversially listed deceased celebrities then added prominent Green and SPD politicians (Habeck, Baerbock, Lang, Scholz) implying they were also desired by God. Following widespread criticism, Bommert admitted his mistake and subsequently resigned from his position as chairman of the Landtag Economic Committee. He also received a formal reprimand from the CDU party, though this did not result in removal from other party offices. These repeated incidents underscore a pattern of gaffes and misjudgments in his public digital communication.