Germany considers Civil Service ban for AfD members

The federal and state interior ministers agreed on how to deal with the AfD at their conference in Bremerhaven. If the party's classification as firmly right-wing extremist - currently frozen - is confirmed by the courts, a working group will be established, as Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) announced on Friday. This working group will address, among other things, the impact on the civil service.

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"Anyone entering public service must guarantee that they will always uphold our free and democratic constitutional order," explained Hamburg's Interior Senator Andy Grote (SPD). Anyone with reasonable doubts cannot be admitted to public service. The question arises with members of a confirmed right-wing extremist organization or party. "This means that no AfD member can be certain whether they will be able to enter public service in the future," said Grote.

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The potential working group would also address the possession of weapons by AfD members and security clearances. In the event that the AfD's classification as confirmed right-wing extremist is confirmed by the courts, the IMK intends to develop a joint assessment on these issues, explained Baden-Württemberg's Interior Minister Thomas Strobl (CDU). "In my view, a strict standard will be applied here – no weapons for extremists, no extremists in the police, and no extremists in the public service in general."

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At the beginning of May, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classified the AfD as confirmed right-wing extremist. This was based on an expert report the agency had compiled over several years. The AfD took legal action, which is why the Office for the Protection of the Constitution initially put the upgrade on hold and has again listed the party as a suspected case until further notice. However, the agency maintains its substantive assessment.