"They reorganize themselves immediately": Merz considers the AfD ban to be useless
Created: 2022-12-15, 4:12 p.m
By: Jens Kiffmeier
Is skeptical about an AfD ban: CDU party leader Friedrich Merz.
© Christoph Soeder/Uli Deck/dpa
Blunt sword: According to Friedrich Merz (CDU), an AfD ban is pointless – to the chagrin of the Greens.
After the "Reichsbürger" raid, they want a clear message.
Berlin – The "Reichsbürger" raid has got things going: Because of the AfD's proximity to the radical scene, the debate about a new ban procedure is picking up speed again.
However, the way the federal government and opposition deal with the right-wing populist party is controversial, as the
district newspaper
reports.
CDU party leader Friedrich Merz vehemently rejected corresponding demands from the Greens.
"I don't think much of such ban procedures," he told the TV station
Welt
.
“They reorganize themselves the next day and are in another party.
And then the game starts all over again. ”But the last word in the dispute does not seem to have been spoken yet.
AfD: Ricarda Lang (Greens) calls for a ban after a “Reichsbürger raid” – but Merz disagrees
The Greens had previously brought an AfD ban into play.
The background is the raid on the "Reichsbürger" scene.
A week ago, 25 conspirators had been arrested.
22 of them are accused of being members of a terrorist organization led by the noble Henry XIII.
Prince Reuss wanted to overthrow the political system.
During the searches, which also took place in Lower Saxony, 93 weapons were seized.
Former AfD member of parliament Birgit Malsack-Winkemann was also among those arrested.
The proximity of AfD politicians to the "Reich citizens" has long been a thorn in the side of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
For experts it is undisputed that in the ranks of the right-wing populist party, comparable fantasies of a coup are often circulating.
According to the Green Party leader Ricarda Lang, an AfD ban should not be taboo.
"It has to be checked very carefully.
Because what we do see is that right-wing extremism has a parliamentary arm – and that is the AfD,” she also told the
world
.
AfD ban: party leader Friedrich Merz (CDU) is now skeptical about the prospect of success
Demands for an AfD ban had been raised months ago.
At that time, the former Federal Government Commissioner for East Germany, Marco Wanderwitz (CDU), had called for this step.
But within his party, he seems to be the only one with this opinion.
A political discussion of the events is necessary, not a legal one, said party leader Merz, who had remained silent for a long time about the "Reichsbürger" raid and had thus caused the displeasure of some representatives in German politics.
After all, Merz had once promised a clear firewall to the AfD.
It remains to be seen whether the latest developments will have serious consequences for the AfD.
Party leader Tino Chrupalle recently denied a connection between his party and the "Reich Citizens".
Nevertheless, the AfD was classified as a suspected case by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
The party is defending itself against this legally.
The proceedings at the Higher Administrative Court in Münster are still ongoing.
But even before the verdict was announced, CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt called for the party to be monitored nationwide.
Whether a ban procedure could also be initiated also depends on the outcome of the current procedure.
