The Bundestag voted on Thursday to lift the parliamentary immunity of AfD lawmaker Raimond Scheirich in a move signaling increased scrutiny of the far-right party’s activities. The decision, reached swiftly and without debate, was approved by a cross-party coalition of CDU/CSU (Union), SPD, the Green Party and the Left, while the AfD faction notably abstained from the vote.
The parliamentary action follows a recommendation from the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and Rules of Procedure concerning immunity-related matters. This approval authorizes the execution of court orders pertaining to searches and seizures at Scheirich’s properties and potentially his possession, a development that has sparked immediate political fallout.
While the specific details underlying the court orders remain largely undisclosed, the timing and the swiftness of the Bundestag’s decision highlight growing concerns about the activities of individuals within the AfD. Critics argue that the immunity process, historically intended to protect lawmakers during their duties, has been increasingly exploited to shield potentially unlawful behavior.
The AfD’s abstention during the vote underscores the deep divisions within the German political landscape and raises questions about the party’s willingness to cooperate with investigations that could expose internal practices. Legal experts suggest that the lifted immunity could pave the way for further investigations and potentially significant legal ramifications for Scheirich and, potentially, broader repercussions for the AfD. The lack of transparency surrounding the nature of the underlying legal proceedings continues to fuel speculation and demands for greater openness from both the judiciary and the Bundestag.