Legal Disputes and Political Tensions in Thuringia

In Thuringia, Germany, political tensions have reached a peak as the Thuringian AfD state parliamentary group has taken legal action against two constitutional judges. The judges are accused of bias due to their alleged connections with CDU members who previously approached the constitutional court. This legal action stems from a contentious decision regarding the oldest member of parliament during a chaotic inaugural state parliament session, which persisted until the election of the state parliament president. The President of the Thuringian Constitutional Court is criticized for failing to identify the alleged bias, and the Erfurt Public Prosecutor's Office is currently examining the case.

In parallel, there's a demand for reform in the process of determining the oldest member of parliament, known as the "Alterspräsident." The new Landtag president has advocated for a rule change, suggesting that the Alterspräsident should be the member with the longest parliamentary experience, aligning with practices in the Bundestag. This call follows a tumultuous parliamentary session where procedural debates led to interruptions and heated exchanges.

Amidst these developments, Thuringian Landtag President Thadäus König has issued a warning against violence towards political representatives, emphasizing the need for their protection following recent attacks. Concurrently, Bundestagspräsidentin Bärbel Bas has suggested delaying any decision on an AfD ban until the end of 2023, contingent on substantial evidence from the Verfassungsschutz proving the party's unconstitutional activities.

These legal and political challenges highlight the intense scrutiny and pressure faced by both the judiciary and political entities in Thuringia, reflecting broader national concerns over governance and extremist influences.