A dispute between the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and its former landlord regarding a termination of lease has concluded without resolution. A mediation hearing held at the Berlin Regional Court on Friday ended without an agreement and the court is now scheduled to deliver a ruling on September 26th concerning the eviction lawsuit filed by the landlord against the party’s federal headquarters.
The AfD anticipates the court will question the justification for the termination, expressing confidence in the upcoming decision. Kay Gottschalk, Deputy Federal Spokesperson for the AfD, stated regret over the landlord’s representative’s continued use of emotionally charged and unsubstantiated accusations during the mediation process.
The landlord alleges the AfD violated the terms of the lease agreement, citing instances such as an unauthorized celebratory event that involved projecting a logo onto the building. Alongside the contentious termination now under judicial review, the landlord has also served a standard notice to terminate the commercial lease, obligating the AfD to vacate the premises at some point in the future.
In anticipation of the eventual move, the party has reportedly secured a new property – in what it describes as a more advantageous location. Carsten Hütter, the AfD’s Federal Treasurer, asserted that the new property’s improved accessibility in Berlin’s political center reflects the party’s position as a significant opposition force and marks a step toward assuming governmental responsibility. The relocation, slated for next year, will “significantly enhance the party’s internal infrastructure” according to Hütter.