A German court begins deliberating on the ban of a magazine, with the fate of the publication hanging in the balance.
In Leipzig, the Federal Administrative Court has started a landmark case to determine the legality of the ban on Compact, a magazine deemed to be a “mouthpiece of the right-extremist scene” by the German government. The case, which began on Tuesday, will examine whether the ban, issued by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, is in compliance with the Association Act.
At the start of the hearing, a group of supporters applauded as Jürgen Elsässer, the CEO of Compact, entered the courtroom. Elsässer’s lawyer, Ulrich Vosgerau, a well-known advocate for far-right figures, attempted to raise the issue of the court’s impartiality, questioning whether the Interior Minister has the authority to ban a “regular media product” and expressing concern that the matter might remain unresolved, even if the total ban is overturned.
The court’s timeline for a decision remains unclear, with two additional possible hearing dates scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
The ban on Compact was initially ordered by former Interior Minister Nancy Faeser in July 2024, citing the magazine’s role as a “mouthpiece of the right-extremist scene.” The Federal Administrative Court had partially stayed the immediate implementation of the ban in August 2024, ruling that, while the court had no fundamental objections to the application of the Association Act, the success of the ban in this specific case was uncertain.
The Federal Administrative Court is the first and final instance in the case and its decision will have significant implications for the magazine and its related companies. The ban has led to the seizure of the magazine’s assets and the prohibition of the formation of replacement organizations. The companies and individuals involved in the lawsuit are arguing that the ban on a press and media enterprise cannot be based on the Association Act, as the necessary conditions for a ban are not met and the ban is disproportionate.