Base Article:
Entangling the AfD with Rhineland-Palatinate's Right-Wing Extremists - Ebling's Concern
In an accusatory address before the state parliament in Mainz, Interior Minister Michael Ebling (SPD) singled out the AfD in Rhineland-Palatinate for failing to distinguish itself clearly from right-wing extremists and right-wing extremist actions. Ebling stated emphatically that "in Rhineland-Palatinate, it's becoming increasingly common for individuals and organizations classified as proven right-wing extremists and the AfD, along with the youth wing, Junge Alternative, to blur the boundaries."
Ebling further implicated the "Rheinhessen Center" as a significant networking site for the AfD, Junge Alternative, and the "New Right" movement. The district associations in Mainz and Mainz-Bingen, together with the party's state office, are headquartered at this location. Notably, both Damian Lohr, a state parliament member, and Sebastian Münzenmaier, an MP, maintain their constituency offices within the center.
Mere days prior to Ebling's remarks, the minister informed the Committee on Internal Affairs that a meeting at the "Rheinhessen Center" had featured blatant glorification of National Socialism, supplemented by alleged demonstrations of the Hitler salute. The Koblenz public prosecutor has since initiated an investigation into these reported incidents.
Ebling maintained that the AfD in Rhineland-Palatinate had not separated itself from right-wing extremists during the Committee on Internal Affairs gathering, a clear delineation that would have been possible but apparently did not occur.
AfD parliamentary group leader Jan Bollinger reacted by emphasizing that the accusations called for naming both the horse and its rider. Soon after Ebling's statements, the AfD submitted a parliamentary inquiry to obtain further clarification on these allegations.
Members from other parliamentary groups in the Rhineland-Palatinate chamber resoundingly warned against the proliferation of right-wing extremism and extremist rhetoric, as well as verbally offensive behavior and exclusionary tactics. The "Rheinhessen Center" has drawn condemnation as a hub for right-wing extremist gatherings, and the boundary between the AfD and such participants must remain distinct.
Additional Insights:
While the specific fallout and reflections from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Rhineland-Palatinate on these allegations are not directly addressed in the available sources, there are related findings that can be inferred:
- Historical Backdrop: In early 2024, the German publication Correctiv reported on secretive meetings between AfD members and figures from both Germany and Austria's far-right, including Identitarian activist Martin Sellner. The discussions reportedly touched upon a "remigration" plan that could impact naturalized German citizens and was notably condemned by Germany's political elite, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz [1].
- Party Response: The AfD responded by disavowing any direct involvement or endorsement of extremist activities, stating that its members had attended only in a personal capacity. This stance suggests a desire to distance the party from any implication in the affair [1].
- Public Outcry and Repercussions: The report sparked widespread protests against the AfD across Germany, with some clamoring for a party ban. As a result, the AfD was expelled from the ID group, with EKRE supporting the expulsion of Krah but opposing the removal of the entire AfD delegation, while FPÖ opposed the removal of the AfD entirely [1].
- Government Monitoring: The AfD has been designated a suspected right-wing extremist organization by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), undergoing ongoing surveillance and scrutiny [1].
Although details concerning the "Rheinhessen Center" and the subsequent investigations by the public prosecutor are not explicitly described in the sources, the broader historical context suggests that the AfD has been accused of close associations with right-wing extremist groups. The party has largely disavowed any direct involvement in such activities, but the ongoing scrutiny from the German government underscores the gravity of the situation.
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[1] Source: www.stern.de
