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Criticism of AfD: Thuringia's Interior Minister calls for clear rules for civil servants
Thuringia's Interior Minister Maier criticizes the progress of the federal-state working group on the AfD at the IMK in Bremen.
Criticism of AfD: Thuringia's Interior Minister calls for clear rules for civil servants
What's next for the AfD? This question is currently in particular focus because Thuringia's Interior Minister Georg Maier has made it clear that he is dissatisfied with the progress made by the federal-state working group so far. At the upcoming Interior Ministers Conference (IMK), which will take place on Wednesday evening in Bremen, the topic of “Dealing with the AfD” will be on the agenda. Maier not only calls for stricter rules for AfD members in the public service, but also a clear legal framework for government employees. In particular, he expects defined case groups and gradations in order to eliminate the ambiguities that currently prevail.
Maier also advocates for a change in gun laws. The goal is to create uniform interpretations in the various federal states. “There should be no weapons in the hands of extremists,” was his clear message. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has currently classified the AfD as a right-wing extremist, which the party is taking legal action against. These legal disputes create a situation of standstill, which makes developments all the more complicated. This issue is becoming increasingly explosive and many citizens are wondering what impact this has on public safety.
Study of the working group
As part of the IMK, discussions had already taken place in advance about how to deal with AfD members. The working group, which was set up in the spring, has set itself the goal of developing common framework conditions that also affect the handling of gun ownership and security checks. The pressure on politicians is growing, especially in those federal states where the AfD has already been classified as right-wing extremist. This challenge is further supported by the AfD's poll numbers, which are currently around 27 percent, and in Saxony-Anhalt even up to 39 percent.
In this context, Maier criticizes the reluctance of the Union and the Federal Ministry of the Interior under Alexander Dobrindt. A clear course of action is necessary to limit the influence of the AfD. In view of the ongoing legal clarifications regarding the classification, it is initially uncertain for legal experts what direct consequences will arise for civil servants. Some federal states have already begun to examine applicants for civil service positions more intensively, for example through regular inquiries with the Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
The ideology of the AfD in sight
But what exactly is behind the classification of the AfD by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution? According to internal reports, which have not been published, the party is classified because of its extremist character. The main features here are the violation of the principle of human dignity and the idea of an ethnic-descended understanding of the people that is not compatible with the basic values of a democratic society. Ethnic nationalism is highlighted as a central feature of the AfD. Quotes from AfD members provide impressive evidence of this problem. For example, it is claimed that multiculturalism leads to a loss of identity and even fuels fears of violence.
The nationwide discussion about a possible party ban procedure seems to be coming up again. It remains to be seen what decisions will follow from the Conference of Interior Ministers and how the legal disputes will continue. One thing is certain, however: the current developments are being closely monitored and could have far-reaching consequences for the political landscape in Germany.
The question remains whether politics shows a good hand in mastering these challenges and sending a clear signal against extremism. The coming days will be crucial to see how governments respond to Maier's claims and the pressing questions of Germany's security architecture.
Further information can be found at Nord24, [Tagesspiegel](https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/umgang-mit-afdlern-in-behorden-und-bei- Waffen-thuringens-innenminister-kritiert-bund-15006721.html) and Tagesschau.