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Right-wing populists can use Hitler beer hall: court

A Munich court has ordered the owner of the famous Hofbräukeller beer hall to allow a party meeting by right-wing populists the Alternative for Germany (AfD) – in the face of protests by the landlord.

Published: 12 May 2016 14:46 CEST

Right-wing populists can use Hitler beer hall: court

AfD leader Frauke Petry now has the right to speak at the famous Hofbräukeller. Photo: DPA

Beer hall owner Friedrich Steinberg said earlier this week that he wanted to cancel a planned appearance by AfD leader Frauke Petry, explaining that he was worried about damage to his reputation and possible violent protests.

But judges at the Munich state court have now decided that he didn't have a good enough reason to break the contract he had signed with the populist party.

“We've received [the injunction] from the court and are now examining legal options,” Steinberg said after the ruling was handed down on Thursday.

“We're very disappointed that the judges don't see our security concerns.”

Meanwhile, the head of AfD's Bavaria branch Petr Bystron called the decision a “resounding cuff around the ear for the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and Christian Democratic Union (CDU).”

Both mainstream parties had repeatedly attempted to block AfD events, Bystron said.

The Hofbräukeller enjoys some fame thanks to its connection with Adolf Hitler, who gave his first speech as leader of the German Workers' Party (DAP) – which later became the Nazi party – in the beer hall.

Germany's Scholz rejects calls for later retirement in Labour Day message

“For me, it is a question of decency not to deny those who have worked for a long time the retirement they deserve,” said Scholz.

Employees in Germany worked more hours in 2023 than ever before: “That’s why it annoys me when some people talk disparagingly about ‘Germany’s theme park’ – or when people call for raising the retirement age,” he said.

Scholz also warned of creating uncertainty due to new debates about the retirement age. “Younger people who are just starting out in their working lives also have the right to know how long they have to work,” he said.

Scholz did not explicitly say who the criticism was targeted at, but at its party conference last weekend, the coalition partner FDP called for the abolition of pensions at 63 for those with long-term insurance, angering its government partners SPD and the Greens.

Scholz saw the introduction of the minimum wage nine years ago – and its increase to twelve euros per hour by his government – as a “great success”. “The proportion of poorly paid jobs in our country has shrunk as a result,” he said.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: Is it worthwhile to set up a private pension plan in Germany?

However, he said there were still too many people “who work hard for too little money,” highlighting the additional support available through housing benefit, child allowance and the reduction of social security contributions for low earners.

“Good collective wage agreements also ensure that many employees finally have more money in their pockets again,” he added.

And he said that the country wouldn’t “run out of work” in the coming years.

“On the contrary! We need more workers,” he said, explaining that that’s why his government is ensuring “that those who fled to us from Russia’s war in Ukraine get work more quickly.”

Work means “more than making money,” said Scholz. “Work also means: belonging, having colleagues, experiencing recognition and appreciation.”

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