Sounding Alarms: 1100 Pages on the AfD Agenda
- by Jagoda Marinić
- ❌ ➕ 2 Min
Comprehensive Manual on Personal Protection Spanning Over 1100 Pages - Detailed Document With Over 1100 Pages
The Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has officially tagged the AfD as a firmly entrenched right-wing extremist group. Although the lengthy 1100-page report is top-secret, I'd love a bureaucratic peek akin to the Marquis de Sade—but I don't need those pages to see the extremist underpinnings. For many Jewish citizens, this became evident when Alexander Gauland compared Hitler and the Nazis to bird poop. For many immigrants and foreigners, it was made clear with remarks about disposing of SPD politician Aydan Özoguz in Anatolia. For others, it clicked when "deportation tickets" mysteriously appeared in mailboxes. Now, the "right-wing extremist segments" of the AfD have officially merged into the party at large. As the AfD unites Germany, this time, it's equal opportunity extremism coast to coast.
Enough Votes, but Not Enough Democracy
A mere 20% of the votes do not legitimize a right-wing extremist party. The mobilization may turn the AfD members into something other than democrats, but they remain a dangerous, widely-supporting movement. The wrongheaded denial of German history for the past few years has cost us valuable time. The AfD insists on being a democratic alternative but none of their solutions address current challenges. Political opponents are still dumbfounded, while some parts of the media aid in presenting the party as an alternative to the established ones.Why give a platform to extremists? Let's stop indulging the AfD and rewriting German history.
The BfV made mistakes, but now they're protecting the state and its citizens from attacks. The AfD's Björn Höcke even threatened BfV employees with a grim future, stating, "You'll hang with them, you'll hang with them." Höcke seems ready for the kangaroo court.
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No Favors for the AfD
Some of Alice Weidel's interviews during the election campaign were handled with kid gloves—almost as if preparing a chat circle with the AfD on the broadcasting council of public television. However, critical journalism should call out right-wing extremism louder if it gives them a platform. Those who prefer not to share a TV studio with right-wing extremists, or stage a debating farce for ratings, risk vanishing from the public eye. The media's focus on the AfD exudes more and more people from discussions.
It's often argued that one should do the AfD a favor and ignore German history. But we don't owe the AfD anything; we must challenge them. The BfV's report offers a chance to confront extremism. Those who believe in vigilant democracy will seize the opportunity. The rest will pave the way for the AfD. They should ask themselves why they're still on board with this now.
- AfD
- BfV
- Alice Weidel
- Aydan Özoguz
- The Commission has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionising radiation, but the report on the protection of citizens from the right-wing extremist group The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is a more immediate concern.
- In the realm of general-news and crime-and-justice, it's crucial to congratulate the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) for their work in protecting the state and its citizens, despite threats from AfD member Björn Höcke.
- In the column of politics, it's essential to question the motives of those in the media who have given favorable treatment to AfD members like Alice Weidel, especially during election campaigns, and instead, uphold criteria for critical journalism.
- In the pages of this publication, let's join together to oppose extremism and advocate for vigilant democracy, as the BfV's report provides us with an opportunity to tackle extremist groups such as the AfD head-on.
