René Stadtkewitz (born 12 September 1976) is a German politician and former member of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. He gained public attention in the mid‑2010s for his outspoken criticism of Islam and for his involvement in anti‑Islam protest activities in Germany.
Early life and education
Stadtkewitz was born in Berlin, West Germany. He completed vocational training as a bank clerk and later pursued studies in business administration.
Political career
- AfD membership: Stadtkewitz joined the AfD shortly after its founding in 2013. He was elected to the Berlin state parliament (Abgeordnetenhaus) in the 2016 state election, representing the party’s list.
- Islam criticism: In 2015, Stadtkewitz organized and participated in demonstrations against what he described as the “Islamisation” of Germany. He was a co‑organizer of the “Islam Is Not a Religion” march in Berlin on 27 January 2016, which attracted several thousand participants and was met with counter‑protests.
- Controversies: His public statements and actions attracted criticism from political opponents and civil‑society organizations, who accused him of fostering xenophobia and Islamophobia.
- Departure from AfD: In March 2017, Stadtkewitz left the AfD, citing internal disagreements and concerns over the party’s direction. After leaving the AfD, he continued to be active in right‑wing networks and maintained a presence on social media, where he promoted nationalist and anti‑Islam viewpoints.
Later activities
Following his departure from the AfD, Stadtkewitz aligned himself with various nationalist and conspiracy‑theory groups. He has contributed articles to right‑wing publications and has been involved in organizing small‑scale protests and events opposing immigration policies.
Personal life
René Stadtkewitz is married and has children. Details about his private life are generally kept out of the public domain.
Public perception
Stadtkewitz is a polarizing figure in German politics, regarded by supporters as a defender of German cultural identity and by critics as a promoter of extremist rhetoric. His activities have been monitored by German security agencies in the context of broader concerns about right‑wing extremism.
