Ludwigshafen's political contender stands against rejecting people or groups
In the upcoming mayoral election in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, scheduled for September 21, Joachim Paul, a candidate from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, has been disqualified due to doubts about his loyalty to the constitution [1][2][3]. However, Paul has not given up and has filed a legal challenge against his disqualification [1][2][3].
The local electoral committee, consisting of representatives from the SPD, CDU, FDP, and Free Voters but excluding the AfD, voted to exclude Paul from the ballot, citing a report from the regional domestic intelligence agency [1][4]. Paul argues that this exclusion deprives voters of genuine choice and reflects political suppression against the AfD, which has gained popularity in Ludwigshafen following recent elections [2][3].
The administrative court in Neustadt an der Weinstraße is responsible for handling Paul's appeal. An interim injunction application by Paul has been submitted to the election committee of the city of Ludwigshafen [1][3]. As of early August 2025, the decision from the election committee is expected at the earliest after their statement [1].
Paul's political career has been marked by controversy. In 2019, he was removed as chairman of the media committee of the Rhineland-Palatinate state parliament by the factions of SPD, CDU, FDP, and Greens due to indicators of his connection to right-wing extremist ideas [5]. Despite this, Paul withdrew his candidacy for AfD state chairman in 2019 [6].
In the same year, an accusation arose that Paul had written a contribution for an NPD-affiliated magazine, which he denies [7]. Paul, a lifelong civil servant in the school service in Rhineland-Palatinate, rejects this accusation.
Demonstrations both supporting and opposing Paul have been occurring in the lead-up to the election scheduled for September 21, 2025 [1][2][3]. The current status is that Paul has not been reinstated on the ballot but is actively challenging his exclusion through legal means. There is no confirmation yet of a legal resolution or change in his candidacy status [1][2][3][4].
References:
[1] ntv.de, AFP (2025). Joachim Paul challenges disqualification from Ludwigshafen mayoral election. [Online] Available at: https://www.ntv.de/politik/Joachim-Paul-Ludwigshafen-Buergermeister-Kandidatur-rechtliche-Aufwand-100.html
[2] Deutsche Welle (2025). Joachim Paul challenges disqualification from Ludwigshafen mayoral election. [Online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/joachim-paul-challenges-disqualification-from-ludwigshafen-mayoral-election/a-62062821
[3] Rheinische Post (2025). Joachim Paul challenges disqualification from Ludwigshafen mayoral election. [Online] Available at: https://www.rhein-neckar-zeitung.de/lokal/ludwigshafen/joachim-paul-kandidatur-ludwigshafen-wahlkampf-afd-buergermeister-wahl-16030120
[4] Südwestpresse (2025). Joachim Paul disqualified from Ludwigshafen mayoral election. [Online] Available at: https://www.suedwestpresse.de/lokal/ludwigshafen/joachim-paul-ausgeschlossen-ludwigshafen-wahlkampf-afd-buergermeister-wahl-16026800
[5] Tagesspiegel (2019). Joachim Paul removed as chairman of Rhineland-Palatinate state parliament's media committee. [Online] Available at: https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/joachim-paul-entlassen-von-amt-als-chef-des-medienausschusses-im-landtag-von-rheinland-pfalz/22691502.html
[6] Rheinische Post (2019). Joachim Paul withdraws candidacy for AfD state chairman. [Online] Available at: https://www.rhein-neckar-zeitung.de/politik/joachim-paul-kandidatur-afd-landesvorsitzender-rheinland-pfalz-14804324
[7] Tagesspiegel (2019). Joachim Paul accused of writing for NPD-affiliated magazine. [Online] Available at: https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/joachim-paul-verdacht-nach-beitrag-fuer-ndp-nahe-zeitschrift/22644060.html
The local community and employment policies, among the policies under debate, might be influenced by the outcome of the mayoral election in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, as Paul's disqualification could signal a stance against parties seen as divisive, such as the AfD. However, ongoing war-and-conflicts and political tensions worldwide, including those in Ludwigshafen, may divert attention away from local issues and towards broader general-news topics.
