In a joint effort, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Left Party have expressed support for the Greens’ proposal to establish a federal-state working group to lay the groundwork for a new AfD ban procedure. According to Sonja Eichwede, the SPD’s deputy faction leader, if democracy is being attacked, as seen in the case of the AfD, all legal means must be explored to protect it, including the possibility of a ban procedure.
Eichwede emphasized that this is not a new demand, as the cooperation between the federal government and the states is crucial in such situations. “When our democracy is under threat, we must take all necessary decisions to protect it from its enemies. This is also a matter of our historical responsibility” she stated. At the same time, the political struggle against the AfD must continue, as a functional and strong country is the best way to counter the AfD, Eichwede added.
The Greens had previously proposed the formation of a federal-state working group to gather information on the AfD, with the aim of launching a new attempt at a ban procedure on this basis and involving all responsible parties.
The Left Party in the Bundestag is generally in favor of such a procedure. “The Left is always ready to support all constructive proposals that lead to the swift introduction of a ban procedure” said Clara Bünger, the Left’s right-wing policy spokesperson, in a statement. “The Greens’ proposal for a federal-state working group can be a sensible step, as long as it does not become an excuse for further delays.”
The Christian Union, on the other hand, remains skeptical about a ban procedure against the AfD before the Federal Constitutional Court, as well as the Greens’ recent proposal. “There are already enough committees and institutions dealing with the AfD. We do not need another working group” said Steffen Bilger, the Christian Union’s first parliamentary business manager, in a statement. The Federal Ministry of the Interior is currently reviewing the Constitution Protection Office’s report and a court ruling is still pending. “After that, we will discuss further steps in the coalition.” Bilger also called on the Greens to focus on solving the problems that the AfD is causing among its voters, rather than proposing new working groups.