AfD under pressure: Is a ban on partying in the Thuringian state parliament possible?

AfD under pressure: Is a ban on partying in the Thuringian state parliament possible?

In the last debate about the possibilities of a ban on the Alternative for Germany (AfD), the political minds have heated up again. The events related to the constituent meeting of the new Thuringian state parliament, in which the AfD was elected to the strongest parliamentary group on September 1

The advance for the application for a party ban can be initiated either by the Bundestag, Federal Council or the Federal Government at the Federal Constitutional Court. In order to enforce such a ban, however, it would have to be proven that the AfD works against the constitution in an aggressive and combative way. In this context, the AfD was recently classified by the Protection of the Constitution in Thuringia and other federal states as a surely right -wing extremist organization, which further illustrates the legal possibilities.

The role of Lars Klingbeil

Lars Klingbeil, the SPD's co-chair, interfered in the debate and made his point of view clear. He sees his task as a political player in leading the political struggle against the AfD. As an example, he leads the Brandenburg SPD Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke, who defeated the AfD in Brandenburg with commitment and clear positions, despite initial difficulties in the surveys. Klingbeil states: "So it works. That is the apprenticeship from Brandenburg."

This appeal for active discussion instead of passive waiting for a ban shows how much politics relies on a clear strategy in order to counter extremist forces. So the SPD has not only proven in Brandenburg that a victory over the AfD is possible, but also wants to take this path in other federal states.

The current situation is complex and requires both legal and political measures. Since the AfD is now the strongest force in the Thuringian state parliament, its influence is expected. In view of these circumstances, the discussion about a ban on parties, supported by the analysis of experts and the observations of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, will certainly gain intensity. It remains to be seen how the political actors, including the SPD, will react to the challenges.

Further details on the legal situation on a possible ban on the AfD are to be found in a recent article on www.verlagshaus-jaumann.de