Goin' after the AfD: when does acceptable turn into extreme? Let's break it down.
Can party officials from AfD be ousted? Automatic expulsion is not guaranteed. - Absolutely no autonomy detected in this scenario.
The AfD, short for Alternative for Germany, has found itself in the crossfire lately, following the classification of the federal party as securely right-wing extremist by the domestic intelligence agency. However, due to ongoing legal proceedings, the agency temporarily vacated this assessment, classifying the party instead as a suspected case.
All eyes are now on civil servants, asking questions about their loyalty to the democratic order. So, can officials with AfD membership continue to hold their positions, or must they be removed due to potential threats to constitutional values? Let's dive into the top concerns and answers.
Losing Job Security or Not?
No hard-and-fast rules here. "Automatism" seems to be out of the question, claims Kai Rosenberger, head of the civil service union in the state. Instead, it's each individual's actions and behavior that matter.
If a civil servant publicly opposes the free and democratic order with statements or behavior, they can expect a thorough review, and potential removal from service. Interestingly, Rosenberger didn't shy away from the suggestion that similar procedures might apply to left-wing extremists or supporters of Islamic views.
Special Considerations for Civil Servants?
Absolutely! Civil servants are expected to uphold the democratic order due to their role within the state apparatus. For this reason, the state is vigilant in keeping "constitutional enemies" at bay.
Civil servants even swear an oath to respect, defend, and uphold the democratic order when they take on their roles. The Greens, who are pushing for inspections of AfD members, argue that party membership is contrary to this oath, raising particular concerns for officials in the judiciary and security authorities.
Have There Already Been Socrections?
It's unclear how often dismissals from the civil service occur in the Southwest. A spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior revealed no specific figures. From what Kai Rosenberger, the head of the Civil Service Association, can gather, only a few cases have resulted in actual dismissals.
Why Check for AfD Membership?
The Greens argue that the AfD is working against the values of the democratic order and is potentially endangering democracy. To protect democracy from its enemies, the state government should take measures to secure its own ranks.
The Counterargument?
Systematic inspections are hard to implement in practice, claims Rosenberger, as the state usually does not know whether its civil servants are members of a party or not. The Ministry of the Interior advocates a coordinated approach among federal states to prevent a patchwork of different regulations.
The situation could change if the BfV's initial classification of the AfD as a confirmed right-wing extremist endeavor is upheld in court. In such a case, severe disciplinary action, including dismissal from service, may be taken against members of a banned party or its offshoots.
The Background Story
The AfD was initially considered a "confirmed right-wing extremist endeavor" by the BfV in May 2025, but this assessment has been temporarily suspended for legal reasons. The state AfD association in Baden-Württemberg is currently under observation by the BfV due to suspected right-wing extremist activity.
With the potential future ramifications of the BfV's classification for members of the AfD in public service under discussion, it's an intriguing time to keep tabs on further developments and policy decisions.
- The classification of the AfD as a suspected right-wing extremist has brought into question the loyalty of civil servants with AfD membership, raising concerns about potential threats to constitutional values.
- Civil servants, in particular those in the judiciary and security authorities, have to uphold the democratic order due to their role within the state apparatus and are expected to swear an oath to this effect.
- The Greens, in a push to safeguard democracy, advocate for inspections of AfD members in the civil service, citing the party's perceived work against democratic values.
- The challenge lies in effectively implementing systematic inspections of civil servants' political affiliations, as the state may not always be aware of its employees' party memberships.
