AfD demands license for hate: Saxony-Anhalt on alert!

AfD demands license for hate: Saxony-Anhalt on alert!

A new initiative by the AfD is causing a stir in Lower Saxony. The right-wing populist party plans to introduce a constitutional amendment that would make statements made by members of the state parliament exempt from punishment even outside the state parliament. AfD domestic politician Stephan Bothe emphasizes that it is necessary to expand the protection of MPs in their communications with citizens. At the moment, however, only statements in the state parliament, committees or parliamentary groups are protected according to Article 14 of the state constitution. A first draft of the change plans will be presented this week, as reported by n-tv.de.

However, the planned reform is met with strong criticism. SPD politicians have already described the AfD initiative as “smear theater”. SPD MP Wiard Siebels said that the AfD's main aim was to give its officials carte blanche for hatred and agitation. A current example of such behavior is MP Vanessa Behrendt, who is suspected of having committed incitement to hatred. She is accused of defaming the rainbow flag as a symbol of “the machinations of pedophile lobby groups” and of generalizing a group of pedophiles as criminal. It is also being investigated whether she published a man's personal data in a harmful manner after he had filed a complaint.

Political consequences and freedom of expression

The AfD sees itself under pressure not only internally but also externally. Bothe did not comment directly on the ongoing investigations against Behrendt, but did target the Central Office against Hate Crime. The MP defends her controversial statements about the rainbow flag, describing them as “completely permissible expression of opinion”. She accuses the central office of politically motivated action. This discussion shows the current tensions surrounding the issue of freedom of expression in Germany, which is enshrined in Article 5 of the Basic Law, but can be restricted by criminal law norms such as incitement to hatred, as the [Federal Agency for Civic Education](https://www.bpb.de/shop/zeitschriften/apuz/306444/meinungsfreiheit-und-ihre- Grenzen/) explains.

The AfD's move comes amid a nationwide debate about the limits of freedom of expression. While freedom of expression is very important in Germany, there are legal limits that particularly concern statements that violate the constitution or mutual respect. In the current political landscape, statements that are classified as sedition must be viewed particularly critically. According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education, the balance between freedom of expression and the protection of personality remains of central importance.

Legislation and consequences for the AfD

Parallel to the initiative in Lower Saxony, the issue of the political responsibility of MPs is being discussed at the federal level. There are efforts to introduce a temporary ban on politics for people repeatedly convicted of sedition. This law, sought as a compromise between the SPD and the Union, could mean that MPs who have been convicted several times will be barred from running for office for a period of five years. However, critics fear that this is a targeted measure against the AfD, even though the draft law is officially intended to have broader application.

How many MPs would actually be affected by such a ban on politics remains unclear. Agencies report a “not insignificant number” of MPs who have been convicted of sedition. So far, only a few AfD politicians have been convicted, but there is great skepticism about whether the proposals will actually be implemented. The discussion shows that the political landscape in Germany is becoming increasingly polarized and the limits of freedom of expression and political engagement are being tested.