Berlin (dts) - After the recent revelations about AfD politicians and their employees, the Vice President of the Bundestag, Katrin Göring-Eckardt (Greens), is pushing for a ban against the party. “It is time to exhaust all legal options against the AfD. This also includes examining a ban procedure,” the Green politician told the newspapers of the Funke media group (Saturday editions). “Proximity to dictators, fantasies of subversion, plans for expulsion – the party is mobilizing against our free, democratic basic order.”
Göring-Eckardt urged caution. “We cannot afford a failed ban procedure like the one with the NPD,” she said.
The Green politician pointed out that a ban on the AfD youth organization Junge Alternative or the right-wing extremist Identitarian Movement could be quicker than a ban on the entire party. “This did not combat the attitudes of young people. Nevertheless, it would be an important signal,” she said.
At the same time, Göring-Eckardt suggested an examination to cut off the AfD from party financing. “It cannot be the case that the constitutional state finances its own enemies,” she said.
The AfD claims in every Bundestag speech that it is particularly fatherland-loving and patriotic. “No, that’s all I can say,” said the Green politician. “Obviously the AfD is more concerned with how Russia and China are doing – and how much money they get for it. The AfD does not represent German interests. She is a danger to our country. The AfD must not be given the slightest space to determine the direction in our country.”
An employee of the AfD's top candidate for the European elections, Maximilian Krah, had previously been arrested on suspicion of espionage. The Dresden Public Prosecutor's Office has initiated preliminary investigations against Krah himself. It involves monetary payments from Chinese and Russian sources.
