The Jusos, the youth wing of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD), have called on the SPD’s Bundestag members and members of the SPD’s governments at the federal and state levels to propose a ban on the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. According to a three-page resolution by the SPD youth organization, which was reported by the Spiegel magazine, it is necessary to learn from history and utilize the instruments embedded in the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany to counter the declared enemies of the democratic rule of law.
Philipp Türmer, the head of the Jusos, told the magazine that at the SPD party congress in late June, they will submit a draft initiative. “The SPD must, given its tradition as the oldest democratic party, now exert pressure in the fight against the AfD, which represents the greatest threat to our democratic society” said Türmer.
According to Article 21 of the Basic Law, parties that “pursue their objectives or based on the behavior of their supporters, aim to undermine or abolish the free democratic basic order or endanger the existence of the Federal Republic of Germany” are considered unconstitutional. The decision on the question of constitutional illegitimacy is made by the Federal Constitutional Court. According to federal law, a ban can be proposed by the Bundestag, Bundesrat, or federal government.