Sven von Storch

Sven von Storch
Personal details
Born	(1970-12-23) 23 December 1970 (age 54) Osorno, Chile
Nationality	Chilean German
Political party	Alternative für Deutschland (AfD)
Other political affiliations	Close to Renovación Nacional (Chile) (2016)[1]
Spouse	Beatrix von Storch (m. 2004)
Relatives	Klaus von Storch (brother) Rodolfo Navea (uncle)[2]
Occupation	Businessman, Activist
Profession	Business manager

Sven von Storch (born 23 December 1970) is a Chilean-German businessman, digital activist, and prominent figure in the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). He is known for his collaborations with conservative leaders such as Jair Bolsonaro and José Antonio Kast, as well as his admiration for Steve Bannon. Alongside his wife, Beatrix von Storch, he has been instrumental in promoting far-right ideologies through digital campaigns. Although he does not hold an elected office, he is a significant figure within the AfD and far-right political circles in Europe and Latin America.

Early life and Education

Sven von Storch was born on 23 December 1970 in Osorno, Chile, to a family of aristocratic German descent. His father moved to Chile after the Second World War following the expropriation of the family estate in Parchow, Mecklenburg, by the Soviet occupation forces. In Chile, his father rebuilt his life as an agricultural entrepreneur and married a woman of German descent.

Sven grew up in Chile as one of four sons. His older brother, Klaus, is a renowned aerospace engineer.[3][4] After completing his secondary education, Sven moved to Germany in 1988 to pursue a BA in business administration. Following the reunification of Germany, his brother Thomas successfully reclaimed their grandparents' estate. Thomas died in an airplane accident in 2004.

Political activism and Career

Sven von Storch is a prominent figure in the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), a far-right political party in Germany. Alongside his wife, Beatrix von Storch, he has been involved in digital campaigns promoting conservative and far-right ideologies. According to scholar Alexander Häusler, the couple is responsible for a network of media campaigns that advocate for euroscepticism, anti-globalism, anti-communism, criticism of gender studies and sexual education, opposition to same-sex marriage, and opposition to immigration.[5]

Sven has also collaborated with international conservative leaders, including Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil and José Antonio Kast of Chile. He is an admirer of Steve Bannon, the former strategist for Donald Trump.[6] His involvement in far-right politics has made him a controversial figure in both Europe and Latin America.

Views and Controversies

Sven von Storch's political views align with far-right ideologies, including opposition to immigration, euroscepticism, and anti-globalism. He has been criticized for his close ties to far-right leaders and his role in promoting divisive political campaigns. Despite not holding an elected office, he remains a significant influencer within the AfD and far-right circles.[7]

Personal life

Sven von Storch married Beatrix von Storch, a German politician and AfD member, in 2004. The couple is known for their shared political activism and far-right advocacy. Sven's brother, Klaus, is a prominent aerospace engineer, and his uncle, Rodolfo Navea, is a well-known figure in Chilean politics.

References

1. "Hermano del primer astronauta chileno es la carta de RN para las municipales de Osorno". Radio Bío-Bío. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
2. "Sven von Storch es el candidato de RN a la alcaldía de Osorno". SoyChile. 8 April 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
3. "Astronauta chileno pidió paciencia para concretar sueño de llegar al espacio" (in Spanish). Radio Cooperativa. 20 July 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
4. "Klaus von Storch, ingeniero aeroespacial: "John Glenn viajó al espacio a los 77 años"" (in Spanish). La Tercera. 10 January 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
5. "Das Meinungs-Imperium der AfD" (in German). Handelsblatt. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
6. González, Alberto (5 October 2021). "Prensa brasileña revela desconocido rol de asesor de Kast cercano a Bolsonaro". Radio Bío-Bío. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
7. Silverstein, Ken (May 30, 2024). "Off Leash: Inside the Secret, Global, Far-Right Group Chat". The New Republic. Retrieved June 10, 2024.

External links

• Sven von Storch on Twitter