Calls for a ban on the AfD continue in Germany: Green Party parliamentary group leader Britta Haßelmann urged such a move in Sunday's Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland newspapers and criticized the hesitant stance on the issue, especially from CDU Secretary General Carsten Linnemann.
This Sunday, demonstrations are being called across Germany in support of a ban on the AfD. “The CDU must face up to the dangers posed by the AfD now at the latest and take a clear stance,” demanded Haßelmann. “A review is needed immediately and a ban procedure must be initiated promptly,” she continued. The Bundestag, Federal Government and Bundesrat are now called upon to act.
Haßelmann referred to the party's classification as definitely right-wing extremist. “The AfD is an anti-constitutional party,” warned the Green politician. Attacks by the AfD on human dignity, constitutional bodies, democracy and the rule of law are the order of the day.
Just over a week ago, the AfD was classified by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution as right-wing extremist throughout Germany. The classification was temporarily suspended due to a lawsuit filed by the AfD. However, the authority is sticking to its assessment. In addition, several state associations and branches of the AfD have been classified as right-wing extremist.
Linnemann had previously spoken out against an AfD ban procedure. In the newspaper “Welt am Sonntag”, he referred to assessments by legal experts that such a procedure would be difficult. In addition, the AfD could then play out its supposed victim role even more. “You can't ban frustration, you can only resolve it through good politics,” Linnemann also warned.
This Sunday, there will be calls for demonstrations in more than 60 cities in support of an AfD ban. Among others, the network “Together against the right” has called for this. They are calling for a ban procedure to be initiated first. "The AfD is not a normal party and must not be treated as such. Now is the time to seriously consider banning the party," the appeal states.
Larger demonstrations are planned in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne and Munich, among other places. In Berlin, the protest is to begin at 4 p.m. at the Brandenburg Gate. The organizer here is the initiative "AfD ban now!" In addition to the ban procedure, the initiative is also calling on politicians and civil society to take a "clear anti-fascist stance" against the AfD.
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