German Parliament’s Police Force Faces New Right-Wing Extremism Allegations
The German parliament’s police force has faced several new allegations of right-wing extremism, a spokesperson confirmed to taz in an interview. The new allegations are significant because the parliament is set to discuss a law for the Bundestag police on Thursday.
According to taz research, a police officer was reported to have made multiple comments expressing right-wing extremist views, stating that Germany is not a democracy but a GmbH (limited liability company). Two other alleged incidents are linked to the song “L’amour toujours” which has become a meme in right-wing pop culture. In the spring, a viral video showed people on the island of Sylt singing the song, accompanied by a Hitler salute and the chant “Germany for the Germans, out with the foreigners.”
taz reported that a police officer’s colleague was given a gift with a handwritten note saying the officer’s favorite song was “Germany for the Germans, out with the foreigners.” A superior officer saw the note, and another officer allegedly played the song on their phone in the break room in a provocative manner. In a third incident, a police officer was allegedly racially discriminated against by a colleague.
The spokesperson for the German parliament confirmed that one of the incidents led to a disciplinary investigation, another to a “disapproval of service” and a third had “no disciplinary relevance” and was addressed through a “sensitivity conversation.” The spokesperson did not specify which incidents led to which measures, citing data protection reasons.
In the case of the officer who made right-wing extremist comments, an investigation is being conducted as part of a disciplinary proceeding.
Sources within the Bundestag police force said that some of the measures mentioned were only initiated after the taz inquiry. The Bundestag president, Bärbel Bas, said that all allegations of right-wing extremism would be thoroughly investigated, stating, “As the leadership, we make it clear that certain behaviors are not accepted.”
This is not the first time the Bundestag police force has faced allegations of right-wing extremism. In 2021, taz reported on similar incidents, including a police officer showing a Hitler salute in the parliament’s break room and another officer’s involvement in a right-wing extremist group. In the aftermath, several officers were suspended, and disciplinary proceedings were initiated. All 200 police officers were individually questioned, including about who spoke to the taz.
The German parliament is set to discuss a new police law for the Bundestag police on Thursday, one of the few bills the parliament can still pass before the elections. If the law is to be passed before the elections, this week is the last chance. The Bundestag police are currently regulated by Article 40 of the German constitution and the parliament’s house rules. “That’s very abstract” the Bundestag president, Bärbel Bas, said in October. She understands the desire of the police for more legal certainty and also the benefits for those affected by police measures. “It’s about establishing the powers on a clear legal basis.”
The Bundestag president, however, does not link the police law to the allegations of right-wing extremism, stating, “The parliamentary proceedings on the Bundestag police law are not connected to allegations of right-wing extremism against members of the Bundestag police.