Holger Apfel is the leader of the right-extremist National Democratic Party of Germany

National Democratic Party of Germany

The National Democratic Party of Germany – The People's Union , is a far right German nationalist party. It was founded in 1964 a successor to the German Reich Party . Party statements self-identify as Germany's "only significant patriotic force"...

 and has served as a member of the Saxon Parliament

Landtag of Saxony

The Landtag of Saxony, also referred to as the Parliament of Saxony or the Saxon Parliament, is the German state of Saxony's legislature...

 since 2004. He is chairman of the NPD parliamentary group and a member of the presidium of the Saxon Parliament.

Political activities

Apfel has a long history of activism with the NPD, starting in the 1980s when he was active in the NPD's youth organisation. On September 19, 2004 Apfel led the NPD in Saxony to its biggest electoral success, winning 9.2% of the popular vote and twelve seats in the Landtag.

In 2005, Apfel and his party protested the fact that no moment of silence was being held for the victims of the bombing of Dresden

Bombing of Dresden in World War II

The Bombing of Dresden was a military bombing by the British Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Force and as part of the Allied forces between 13 February and 15 February 1945 in the Second World War...

. Protesting this double standard

Double standard

A double standard is the unjust application of different sets of principles for similar situations. The concept implies that a single set of principles encompassing all situations is the desirable ideal. The term has been used in print since at least 1895...

, his party refused to take part in a moment of silence for the victims of Auschwitz concentration camp

Auschwitz concentration camp

Concentration camp Auschwitz was a network of Nazi concentration and extermination camps built and operated by the Third Reich in Polish areas annexed by Nazi Germany during World War II...

 that year. The anniversary of both events fall relatively close to each other.

In the German federal election, 2005

German federal election, 2005

German federal elections took place on 18 September 2005 to elect the members of the 16th German Bundestag, the federal parliament of Germany. They became necessary after a motion of confidence in Chancellor Gerhard Schröder failed on 1 July...

, he was a candidate for the constituency of Kamenz, Hoyerswerda and Großenhain, and received 6,7 % of the votes.

On 13 November 2011 he was elected leader of the National Democratic Party of Germany.

Personal life

He is married to Jasmin Langer (born 1983), the secretary general of the NPD women's organisation, Ring Nationaler Frauen

Ring Nationaler Frauen

-Ring Nationaler Frauen:The Ring Nationaler Frauen is a body within the National Democratic Party of Germany. Founded on September 16, 2006 it represents woemens interest within the party machine. The leader of the organization is Jasmin Apfel,wife of NPD politician Holger Apfel....

, and they have three children.