Mayor Ioan Popa of the Romanian city of Resita, a liberal, praises Erwin Rommel, the field marshal who led the military forces of Nazi Germany. When his coalition colleagues from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) became inflamed by his statements, the mayor did not back down, but continued to praise him as „one of the most distinguished and remarkable field marshals of Germany, of the Wehrmacht, and of the Second World War,” as presented on Wikipedia.
The PSD county organization of Caras-Severin condemned the mayor’s statements, who said in an electoral meeting: „We will overcome them (the PSD – editor’s note), we will overcome them just as Rommel’s panzers crossed in North Africa. That’s how we will overcome them… like panzers.”
"Two things shock: the applause in the room at this call and the fact that the statements of Nazi apologia were made in the presence of the President of the Senate, General Nicolae Ciucă, and the former Minister of the Interior, Lucian Bode.
The idol of Mayor Ioan Popa, Erwin Rommel, was a field marshal of the Wehrmacht of the Third Reich.
There is abundant evidence of war crimes committed by the Nazi German army in North Africa during the time it was led by Erwin Rommel," the PSD transmits in a press release.
Later, Mayor Popa provided explanations in a Facebook post, in which he does not disavow his statements and praises Rommel with quotes from Wikipedia:
"‼️‼️‼️ Regarding the garbage communication from PSD Caras-Severin, through which my statements from an electoral meeting held yesterday in Herculane are labeled as pro-Nazi, I ask the brilliant minds of the PSD to consult Wikipedia and they can find the following:
➡️ Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel was one of the most distinguished and remarkable field marshals of Germany, of the Wehrmacht, and of the Second World War, also being one of the greatest German military commanders.
➡️ Field Marshal Rommel is often remembered not only for his remarkable military achievements, but also for the chivalry and respect he showed to his adversaries. He is known as one of the prominent members of the Wehrmacht who opposed direct orders when they violated the code of military honor and human honor.
➡️ Rommel was considered by some, without clear evidence, to be part of the group of conspirators who intended to assassinate Hitler in the anti-Nazi insurgency attempt under the code name "Operation Valkyrie."
‼️‼️‼️ My statements from yesterday refer only to a brilliant military strategist, recognized for the honor he displayed in battle, just as we do, in the battle that the PSD members are waging in a MISERABLE way. In my political career, I have criticized all xenophobic statements and I clearly distance myself from such doctrinal orientations.‼️‼️‼️"