CDU Security Politician Calls for Decisive Action Against Public Servants with Membership in the AfD
CDU’s Roderich Kiesewetter is calling for a decisive approach to be taken against members of the AfD who are employed in the public sector. With the party now classified as right-wing extremist, Kiesewetter believes that the public servants should be protected from the threat that the party poses. “A membership in the AfD is not compatible with the free and democratic order” he said in an interview with the Handelsblatt. “Therefore, a dismissal from the service should be considered in individual cases.”
Kiesewetter also called for a pre-emptive review process to be put in place in anticipation of a potential banning process. “The AfD is a gateway for Russian interests in Germany and their anti-democratic efforts are very dangerous for our country” he explained. “There are also several indications that the party aims to remove the constitutional order.” Kiesewetter believes that it is the duty of every elected representative to defend the constitution.
Sebastian Hartmann, a SPD Innenpolitiker, agrees that action must be taken. “The decision of the Verfassungsschutz has provided a crucial, central insight for a successful banning process” he said in an interview with the Handelsblatt. “Further assessments from constitutional authorities will now follow.”
Hartmann also warned against normalizing the AfD in parliament. “The radicalization curve of the AfD is rising sharply – with regard to its program, language and high-ranking officials” he said. “The answer to this can only be a clear demarcation, not a normalization of the party.”
Kiesewetter also emphasized that the AfD is not a normal party. “It acts as an extension of the Kremlin – it uses Russia in its information war against Germany” he said. “Therefore, there can be no cooperation, no election of chairmen or in security-relevant bodies.