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AfD lawsuit against ex-police chief: truth or populism?
On November 16, 2025, the Oldenburg Administrative Court will decide on the AfD's lawsuit against former police chief Kühme, who described the party as a threat to internal security.
AfD lawsuit against ex-police chief: truth or populism?
Today, November 16, 2025, the Oldenburg Administrative Court is dealing with an exciting lawsuit brought by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) against former police chief Johann Kühme. The focus of this dispute is the controversial statements made by Kühme, who massively criticized the AfD in an interview in August 2023. Kühme described the party as a “threat to internal security” and accused it of using misinformation and political lies to stir up insecurities among the population. Such statements not only endanger trust in the police, but also raise questions about the political neutrality of officials, which the AfD is now clarifying in the legal dispute, as NDR reports.
But what exactly is standing in the way of the AfD? In his criticism, Kühme cited specific examples of false reports and tendentious portrayals of crimes that particularly affect people with a migration background. This information seems to annoy the AfD rather than convince it, as the party has not only filed a lawsuit against Kühme's statements, but has also filed a supervisory complaint against him. According to Kreizeitung, the deputy parliamentary group leader of the AfD, Stephan Bothe, expressed his demand for justice and criticized Kühme's understanding of democracy. The AfD accuses the former police chief of not being neutral and of violating the rule of moderation.
Support for Kühme
Johann Kühme, who is retired, stands by his statements and has received public support from Andreas Sagehorn, the current police chief, as well as his counterparts from Lower Saxony. This solidarity is remarkable because all seven police chiefs in the country stand united behind Kühme and emphasize the importance of the police as guardians of democracy. Lüneburg's police chief Thomas Ring said that the security situation in Germany was good, while the police chief of Hanover, Gwendolin von der Osten, criticized the AfD for a selective portrayal of crime.
The situation becomes worrying when you consider that Kühme was even confronted with a death threat in 2020 in connection with the murder of Walter Lübcke. This shows the extreme stress that can even be felt in the leadership of the police. The police union (GdP) also spoke out resolutely in support of Kühme and emphasized the importance of standing up for democratic values.
How this dispute will continue remains to be seen. Lower Saxony's Interior Ministry is currently examining the allegations against Kühme, which gives the legal dispute with the AfD an additional dimension. The future will show how the legal situation regarding the statements and the required neutrality develops.
The plaintiffs would like to send a strong message at this point, clearly focusing on the law, addressing fears and uncertainties, while at the same time questioning the political boundaries of civil servants. A discussion that concerns everyone involved and moves public opinion.