Renowned historian Heinrich August Winkler has cautioned against pursuing a legal ban of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. In an interview with “Stern” magazine, Winkler expressed concerns that a ban attempt based on constitutional law arguments would likely fail in Karlsruhe, the seat of Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court. Such a failure, he argued, would represent a significant victory for the AfD and a setback for proponents of liberal democratic principles.
Winkler highlighted lessons drawn from past party bans, specifically referencing the dissolution of the Socialist Imperial Party in 1952. That earlier ban was easily justified because the party openly embraced neo-national socialist ideology. The AfD, he noted, strategically avoids such explicit antidemocratic positioning. He emphasized the need to actively counter the rhetoric employed by the AfD, which portrays itself as the sole advocate for popular interests. This requires clearly articulating the interests to which the party ultimately serves and illustrating the nature of a potential regime that the AfD would establish.
The historian, a long-standing member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), also voiced criticism regarding the party’s current trajectory. Winkler underscored the significance of the Godesberg Program of 1959, which marked a crucial shift away from Marxist ideology, allowing the SPD to evolve into a broader-based political force. While acknowledging the SPD’s commitment to supporting hardworking citizens, he stressed the importance of maintaining credibility within the political center. This, he argues, necessitates a more nuanced and measured communication style, distinct from the language used in internal party forums. Winkler added that both the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the SPD must strive to remain inclusive, representative political parties.