In a bid to strengthen democratic institutions and safeguard the country from potential threats, the Green Party has called for stricter rules governing the interaction of Alternative for Germany (AfD) members in the public service and a tightening of the country’s weapons laws.
According to a motion presented by the Green Party faction, titled “Protecting Democracy: Concretely Disarming Extremists and Preventing Extremist Networks in the Public Service” there is a significant risk to the country from AfD members in public service or those with weapons permits. The party believes that these individuals could potentially use their positions to harm democracy and its institutions.
The Greens are urging the federal government to take concrete measures to protect people and institutions in the country. Specifically, the party is calling for the development of “constitutionally compliant, legally secure and effective procedures” to verify the loyalty to the constitution of AfD members in the public service. In cases where there are concrete suspicions, the constitutionality of federal employees and soldiers with known or suspected AfD membership should be reviewed through a disciplinary procedure.
Furthermore, the Greens are advocating for cooperation with the states to ensure that AfD members do not receive or retain weapons permits and for legislative and administrative measures to secure the necessary checks on such permits.
The party is also pushing for changes to the weapons law to enable the authorities to more effectively prevent right-wing extremists from legally possessing weapons. Konstantin von Notz, the Green Party’s parliamentary group vice-chair, emphasized the need for decisive action to defend the country’s democratic order, stating, “The radicalization of the AfD is continuing at a rapid pace. All democrats are called upon to actually use the many instruments our constitution has at its disposal to defend against its enemies.