Amid plans by the AfD party to potentially replace hundreds of state civil servants following a victory in Saxony-Anhalt, Verdi union chief Frank Werneke has called for the party to be banned.
Speaking to the Funke media group, Werneke stated that the allegations clearly demonstrate the AfD’s intention to undergo a comprehensive restructuring of the state apparatus. He specifically referenced statements made by Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s lead candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, who had announced that between 150 and 200 civil service positions would need to be filled if the party gained control of the region’s government.
Werneke accused the AfD of planning a politically motivated overhaul of the authorities. “Civil servants, who are committed to the Basic Law and our free democracy, would be replaced by far-right followers” he told the “Funke” newspapers. According to Werneke, this proves that the AfD represents a genuine danger to the continuation of democracy. Consequently, he argued that it is “high time to initiate a banning procedure against the AfD before the Federal Constitutional Court”.
The service union Verdi, which represents numerous employees in the public sector, had previously voiced support for initiating a ban proceeding against the AfD during the past year.