“That’s why Mr. Höcke and his Thuringian AfD state association, which is classified as right-wing extremist, must first be concerned with the political debate,” the SPD politician continued.
An online petition directed against Höcke has exceeded the one million signature mark. The petition demands that the federal government submit an application to the Federal Constitutional Court for the forfeiture of fundamental rights in accordance with Article 18 of the Basic Law.
According to this article, individual basic rights can be taken away from anyone who “abuses them to fight against the free, democratic basic order”. For example, the right to vote or the power to hold public office could be revoked.
Faeser also expressed skepticism to the Funke newspapers about the chances of success of a possible AfD ban procedure. “A party ban has very high hurdles,” she said. “Our constitution rightly envisages this strongest instrument of defensive democracy as a last resort. Nobody can rule that out in the relevant circumstances. But politically it is clear: If people turn to such a party, we must ensure that these people turn to the democratic parties Come back.”
When asked whether an application for a ban before the state elections in September would be ruled out, Faeser replied: “Prohibition proceedings are lengthy. And again: This is the strongest legal means and not a means of political debate.”
Faeser urgently warned against the AfD taking over government. “The AfD despises our modern Germany,” she said. “She wants to roll back the role of women, attack free media and the independent judiciary – and obviously doesn’t have many people with an immigration background in our country.”
Germany is a different country today than it was in the 1930s, said Faeser, referring to comparisons with the rise of the National Socialists. “Nevertheless, we must be careful and recognize the threat to our democracy.”
