The debate surrounding potential repercussions for members of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) employed in the public sector is intensifying. Brandenburg’s Minister-President Dietmar Woidke and Thuringia’s Interior Minister Georg Maier, both members of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), have signaled a firm stance regarding possible action should a court uphold the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution’s classification of the AfD as a far-right extremist party.
Minister-President Woidke acknowledged the legal complexities involved, stating that disadvantaging party members remains legally challenging as long as the AfD is not formally banned. He emphasized the constitutional principle of equal treatment, which extends to those affiliated with political parties.
However, he added that the situation would fundamentally shift if the Federal Office’s assessment is legally confirmed by the courts. “Then we, in Brandenburg, must examine what consequences this has for the public sector” Woidke told “Handelsblatt”.
Interior Minister Maier echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for a coordinated national approach. He referenced a working group established by federal and state interior ministers specifically addressing the issue of AfD members in state service. “The working group must work quickly, as we expect a decision from the Administrative Court of Cologne any week now” Maier stated, highlighting the urgency. He expressed hope that preliminary findings could be presented at the next interior ministers’ conference, scheduled for early December.
In the event of a judicial confirmation of the AfD’s escalated classification, Minister-President Woidke indicated a review of the suitability of individuals, particularly those who serve as prominent voices for the party, for positions within the public sector, specifically examining roles involving a heightened duty of loyalty to the state. Minister Maier added that potential measures could initially take the form of disciplinary warnings, escalating to potential termination in more serious cases.