Prominent constitutional lawyer Hermann Heußner has called on the German government to consider the possibility of banning the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. His appeal follows a classification by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, which labels the AfD as a right-wing extremist group. Heußner argues that despite the party's current strength, it is not too late to enact such a ban. He draws parallels to historical precedents, suggesting that a timely intervention could prevent extremist control, as was the case with the NSDAP in the past.
Heußner's proposition includes the commissioning of a comprehensive report to examine the feasibility of prohibiting the AfD. He supports the scrutiny of AfD sympathizers within public services, emphasizing the necessity for civil servants, judges, and soldiers to uphold constitutional loyalty.
Meanwhile, there is a discussion on how to handle AfD members within the civil service. Ulrich Silberbach, head of the German Civil Service Federation, opposes blanket measures against AfD-affiliated personnel. He advocates for case-by-case evaluations, stressing that dismissal should only occur following proven misconduct. However, the likelihood of AfD members entering civil service roles has diminished. This sentiment is echoed by Thuringia's Interior Minister, Georg Maier, who advises informing civil servants of the potential repercussions of their political affiliations, while noting that party membership alone should not warrant exclusion.
The debate highlights the tension between ensuring constitutional integrity and respecting individual political rights, as Germany grapples with the challenge of addressing right-wing extremism within its political landscape.
