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German minister warns far-right AfD over ‘deportation’ talks row

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser on Thursday warned the far-right AfD it is not above the law as it faces a backlash over reports some of its members attended a meeting that discussed the mass-expulsion of immigrants.

Published: 18 January 2024 22:05 CET
People take part in a march against the far-right, including the AfD, in Mainz on January 18th.
People take part in a march against the far-right, including the AfD, in Mainz on January 18th. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Helmut Fricke

The minister said it was “right and necessary” for Germany’s domestic security agency to keep close tabs on the party, which she said shared an ideology with the Nazis.

Members of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is currently riding high in opinion polls, reportedly discussed the mass deportation of foreigners as well as “non assimilated citizens” at the meeting with extremists, including a prominent Austrian far-right leader.

Since news of the meeting was leaked last week by investigative media outlet Correctiv, tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets across Germany to protest against the party.

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Speaking to parliament, Faeser slammed the AfD for what she called “right-wing extremist networking”, warning that “it will in no way be tolerated”.

“Those who fantasise about reconquering and remigration are drawing on the same ideas that paved the way for the inhuman racial laws of the Nazis” she said, adding that “no participant in such a meeting can claim ignorance”.

Germany will use “all the instruments available… including criminal law and bans on associations” to defend its democracy, Faeser added.

The AfD has been classified by Germany’s domestic security agency as a “suspected case” of right-wing extremism, allowing intelligence agents to ttap its communications and possibly use undercover informants.

Faeser on Thursday defended the move for close surveillance of the party as “right and necessary”.

The report by Correctiv created a shockwave in Germany at a time when the AfD is polling at between 21 and 23 percent nationally in terms of voting intentions.

The party has more than 30 percent support in some parts of the former East Germany, where regional elections are due to be held later this year.

Correctiv reported that AfD officials met Martin Sellner, a leader of Austria’s white pride Identitarian Movement.

He had presented a plan to “reverse the inward migration of foreigners” and remove migrants and asylum seekers instead, it said.

The Identitarian Movement subscribes to the “great replacement” conspiracy theory that claims there is a plot by non-white migrants to replace Europe’s “native” white population.

With several more mass protests planned this weekend, even football managers from Germany’s Bundesliga have joined calls for Germans to take to the streets.

“Anyone who does nothing now has learned nothing from school or history,” Freiburg manager Christian Streich said at a press conference on Thursday.

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POLITICS

German president decries ‘violence’ in politics after attacks

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Thursday he was worried by the growing trend of violence towards politicians after a series of attacks on lawmakers at work or on the campaign trail.

Published: 23 May 2024 14:29 CEST
German president decries 'violence' in politics after attacks

“We must never get used to violence in the battle of political opinions,” Steinmeier said at an event to mark the 75th anniversary of the German constitution.

The basic law, promulgated in 1949, was a response to Germany’s experience with political violence during World War II, Steinmeier said.

“No one knew better than the mothers and fathers of the constitution how violence undermines a democracy and tears down its foundations,” Steinmeier said.

READ ALSO: ‘Grundgesetz’ – what does Germany’s Basic Law really mean?

The threat of political violence had again reared its head in Germany, the president said.

“We have received news of physical attacks on elected officials and politically active people almost every day,” he said.

“I am deeply concerned about the coarsening of political life in our country.”

READ ALSO: How politically motivated crimes are rising in Germany 

Earlier this month, police arrested a man on suspicion of hitting a former mayor of Berlin in the head during a visit to a public library.

Franziska Giffey, who is now the Berlin state economy minister and a member of Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), was treated in hospital for light injuries.

Giffey’s assault came just days after a European member of parliament, also from the SPD, had to be hospitalised after four people attacked him while he was out canvassing.

READ ALSO: Why are German politicians facing increasing attacks?

Senior members of the government have also been confronted by angry mobs in recent months, with Economy Minister Robert Habeck blocked from leaving a ferry by a group of protesters.

In his speech, Steinmeier also recalled the politically motivated murder of the conservative politician Walter Luebcke by neo-Nazis in 2019.

“His death is a reminder of how hate can turn into violence,” Steinmeier said.

This week also saw proceedings open against the alleged ringleaders of a group who are said to have planned to storm the German parliament and overthrow the government.

The group of so-called Reichsbuerger, who deny the legitimacy of the modern German republic, allegedly planned to take MPs hostage and had compiled “lists of enemies” to be eliminated, according to prosecutors.

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