Germany:German Social Democrat leader Kurt Beck has accused a conservative state premier of courting extreme right-wing voters after eulogising a Nazi-era judge as a "resistance fighter".
Leading historians, members of Germany's Jewish community and even Chancellor Merkel joined criticism of Mr Günther Oettinger, premier of Baden-Württemberg and a senior Christian Democrat (CDU).
But Mr Oettinger has shrugged off criticism of his remarks about Hans Filbinger, forced to resign as state premier in 1978 when his connection to death sentences at a Nazi military court were revealed.
In March 1945, as a prosecutor, he secured a death sentence against a deserter sailor named Walter Gröger who was subsequently shot. As a judge, he handed down several other death sentences in absentia.
Mr Filbinger died aged 93 earlier this month, convinced he had been the victim of a conspiracy to destroy his reputation. At his funeral last Wednesday, Mr Oettinger said it was unfair to judge Mr Filbinger for his actions in circumstances very different to today. "None of his verdicts actually led to anyone losing their life," he said.
After days of criticism from all quarters, the state premier issued a statement on Saturday standing by his remarks and, on the radio yesterday, he insisted his comments were "justifiable".
SPD leader Kurt Beck disagreed, saying the remarks were "irresponsible, inaccurate, damage Germany and, in the end, damage the image of democracy". "I think he has to put that right," said Mr Beck.
"After Mr Oettinger's so-called clarification, it's become increasingly clear to me that he has deliberately decided to go fishing in the far right of the spectrum and has strayed far beyond the acceptable limits."
Speculation continued over the weekend about Mr Oettinger's motive, with suggestions that he was trying to shed his reputation as a liberal in one of the most conservative parts of the country.
"His remarks are aimed at arch-conservative voters who don't feel at home in the CDU right now. Oettinger was sending them a signal: 'I'm your friend'," suggested Bild am Sonntagnewspaper.
Other commentators said that Mr Oettinger's attempt to reach out to arch-conservatives in Baden-Württemberg had ruined his national appeal and dashed any hopes of the chancellery.