The recent decision by the Rhineland-Palatinate Interior Minister, Michael Ebling, to restrict the access of Alternative for Germany (AfD) members to public service roles is being lauded by politicians from both the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) as a potential model for other states and the federal government. This follows an assessment by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, which has classified the AfD at the national level as right-wing extremist and opposed to the basic democratic order.
CDU security expert Roderich Kiesewetter, speaking to “Handelsblatt”, emphasized the need for this assessment to have ramifications for civil servants and public employees. “Civil servants should protect our society and not contribute to the undermining of our democracy” he stated, advocating for adjustments to public service law and stricter hiring practices across other states and at the federal level, citing “security policy considerations”. Kiesewetter expressed particular concern regarding AfD members in sensitive sectors, including schools, the judiciary and security agencies, warning against teachers instilling extremist views to children and young people and suggesting potential dismissal in individual cases.
SPD interior policy spokesperson Sebastian Fiedler echoed this sentiment, characterizing the AfD’s actions as an attempt to “attack state powers from within”. He argued that the party’s trajectory poses a significant threat to the democratic order, further noting the party’s alignment with individuals such as Vladimir Putin. Fiedler stated that this connection creates a risk that Russia could exploit contacts with AfD members for its hybrid warfare efforts. He urged a more thorough examination of strategies to address the existing presence of active AfD members within the public service workforce.