The Thuringian AfD parliamentary group is fighting to maintain its blocking minority in committees, sparking concerns among politicians like Minister President Bodo Ramelow and Stephan Kramer about further attacks on democratic institutions. The difficulty in forming a government in Thuringia without the AfD speaks to the broader challenge of dealing with the party's influence.
The German Judges Association has emphasized the need to protect the independence of the judiciary from the AfD's attempts to undermine democracy and the rule of law, citing Thuringia as a case in point. A group of Bundestag members from various parties is preparing to request a ban on the AfD, though figures like Kevin Kühnert and Alexander Dobrindt are skeptical about meeting the legal criteria.
They argue that addressing the AfD's rise requires political engagement rather than attempting a ban, which faces high constitutional hurdles. Echoing this sentiment, Florian Herrmann suggests that the government can weaken the AfD through better policies rather than pursuing a ban, which has mixed support.
Legal experts like Franz-Alois Fischer see a realistic chance for a ban based on violations of human dignity, but acknowledge the process's complexity. The AfD's classification as a right-wing extremist threat by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution strengthens the case but isn't sufficient on its own.
The stringent requirements for a party ban include proving the AfD's intent to undermine democracy. As the debate continues, it underscores the broader challenge of addressing extremist influences within the bounds of democratic principles.
