Inquiring about political party affiliation is not a practice adopted in Saxony's public service. - Germany's Saxony region maintains no reservations about civil servants' political affiliations.
In the heart of Germany, the principle of upholding democratic and constitutional values is a non-negotiable requirement for those serving in the civil service. This is particularly true in Saxony, where civil service applicants must declare their loyalty to the constitution and reject any extremist affiliations.
The Saxony Interior Ministry has made it clear that AfD membership does not automatically bar individuals from working in the civil service. However, the ministry emphasises that concrete actions showing right-wing extremist attitudes are necessary before a civil service law review can take place. This stance is in line with the broader German tradition of prioritising the protection of the constitutional state (Verfassungstreue) among public officials.
The requirement for civil servants to uphold democratic and constitutional values is not unique to Saxony. Across Germany, civil service regulations demand that candidates demonstrate their loyalty to the democratic constitutional order and disavow any extremist or unconstitutional affiliations.
In March 2024, Saxony's state parliament passed the law on loyalty in the public service. This law requires police officers and justice employees to be checked by the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution before being appointed to the civil service. As of mid-February this year, there have been no reports from the LfV about persons within the framework of loyalty checks this year.
Meanwhile, in Rhineland-Palatinate, a written declaration of loyalty to the constitution will be mandatory in the civil service recruitment process. Additionally, the state intends to deny AfD members access to the public service. All applicants will also be required to declare that they do not belong to any extremist organisation.
It is important to note that the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classified the AfD as a right-wing extremist endeavour nationwide in May. In Saxony, the AfD state association has been classified as right-wing extremist since December 2023.
The Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU) has also stated that AfD party membership alone does not trigger a civil service law review. The minister's stance is in line with the Saxony police, who have a coordination office for extremism prevention and combating since 2017.
In conclusion, the commitment to upholding democratic and constitutional values is a fundamental requirement for those seeking roles in the German civil service. This commitment is essential for maintaining the integrity and impartiality of the civil service, ensuring that it serves the needs of the people and upholds the principles of the democratic state.
- The policy-and-legislation regarding employment in the civil service in EC countries, such as Germany, often includes a requirement for candidates to demonstrate their loyalty to the democratic constitutional order and disavow any extremist or unconstitutional affiliations, much like in Saxony and Rhineland-Palatinate.
- In the realm of general-news, it is noteworthy that politics in Germany has taken a firm stance against right-wing extremism in the civil service, as evidenced by the recent classification of the AfD as a right-wing extremist endeavour and the implementation of stringent checks for police officers and justice employees in Saxony, among other measures.
