CDU's Displeasure Towards Maassen's Party Affiliations
Many members of the CDU find former Office for the Protection of the Constitution President, Hans-Georg Maassen, an undesirable figure in their party. This sentiment is shared by the federal party leadership, who have lodged a complaint against Maassen's continued CDU membership.
In a 67-page letter dated November 9, the CDU leaders argue that Maassen's exclusion from the party is necessary and permissible, declaring that milder measures were insufficient and unsuccessful. General Secretary Carsten Linnemann announced his intentions to appeal the dismissal of this complaint in early November, following the rejection of Maassen's expulsion by a district party court in Thuringia in July.
Maassen's "Ideological Radicalization"
The federal CDU leadership characterizes Maassen's transformation as a "gross misunderstanding." Since the hearing and subsequent debate, Maassen has allegedly continued to violate CDU rules and principles. His advocacy for cooperation with the AfD and association with extreme viewpoints have solidified his perceived radicalization.
Maassen, a CDU member for several years and head of the Werteunion, a particularly conservative yet non-party organization, was an unsuccessful candidate in the 2021 Bundestag elections in southern Thuringia. He has also faced severe criticism in his own party for his controversial statements, such as claiming that political media harbored "eliminatory racism against whites."
Insights
Hans-Georg Maassen, the former chief of Germany's domestic intelligence service, has been at the center of controversy due to his far-right views and ties to extremist groups. His controversies began with his appointment in 2012 after the NSU scandal, which saw a right-wing terrorist group remain undetected despite having informants within the service.
In 2018, during the racist far-right riots in Chemnitz, Maassen denied that migrants were being targeted during the attacks. He later questioned the authenticity of an incriminating video. Post-office, Maassen has been linked to right-wing extremist groups and has expressed his radical views in various media outlets, including far-right and conspiracy-theory websites like RT Deutsch.
Maassen left the CDU in 2018 and founded the WerteUnion, a far-right party, and has been placed under surveillance by the intelligence service, as they consider him a threat to the constitution. His views and actions have been widely criticized by mainstream parties and the media.
CDU's Resistance to Maassen's Continued Membership
The CDU leadership, under the direction of General Secretary Carsten Linnemann, is adamant about Hans-Georg Maassen's removal from the CDU due to his radicalization and association with extremist viewpoints. This stance is critical for upholding the Office of the Protection of the Constitution and preserving the party's values.
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