Hessian Minister Snubs AfD Politicians on Overseas Sojourns After Extremist Label
Political figure Minister Pentz imposes travel restrictions on AfD politicians - Minister Pentz restricts travel abroad for AfD politicians
In an informal, down-to-earth tone, let's dive into the latest squabble in Hesse's political landscape.
After the infamous AfD was officially deemed a right-wing extremist entity, Hesse's Europe Minister, Manfred Pentz, has kicked two of their state parliamentarians off an international expedition. Pentz elaborates, "I'm not gonna force foreign diplomats to cram with a right-wing extremist party rep at the table." He shared this revelation with the German Press Agency. The bombshell news was initially broken by "Bild" newspaper on Monday.
On the agenda for Pentz's upcoming sojourn to Belgrade and Zagreb: boosting Germany's appeal abroad. The Hessian government sent an invitation to all state parliamentary factions weeks prior, according to the ministry. AfD's duo, Anna Nguyen and Christian Rohde, were nominated to tag along. Sadly for them, they received a disinvitation on Sunday.
AfD fights back
Christian Rohde, an AfD state parliamentarian, argues that the classification by the constitutional protection is "illegal" and the supposed evidence is a "joke". Rohde fears that the disinvitation from Pentz's trip might cause a bit of misunderstanding abroad, since neither Nguyen nor he personally are inclined towards extremism.
Hesse seems poised to be the first federal state to boycott the AfD from a delegation trip, mere days after the Constitutional Protection's decision was publicized. According to a press release from Friday, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution considers the AfD a "right-wing extremist endeavor due to the extremist, anti-democratic orientation of the entire party."
The ripple effect
With the AfD's extremist label, politicians in Hesse may find themselves under the microscope. Hesse's Interior Minister, Roman Poseck from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is mulling over potential consequences for AfD members in public service roles, such as the police force[3]. This could potentially lead to a ban on civil servants who are members of the AfD, to ensure their allegiance to the democratic values of the state[3]. As a result, the extremist label has intensified the spotlight on the AfD and might lead to further restrictions on their members in public positions in Hesse.
- Despite the disinvitation from the Hessian government's overseas sojourn, AfD state parliamentarian Christian Rohde insists that his party's classification as a right-wing extremist entity is "illegal."
- As Hesse becomes increasingly likely to boycott the AfD from delegation trips, focus on AfD politicians may intensify, particularly those in public service roles such as the police force.
- Consequences for AfD members in public service roles, like a possible ban on civil servants who are members of the AfD, might be considered by Hesse's Interior Minister Roman Poseck, as he ensures their allegiance to the democratic values of the state.
- In the aftermath of the AfD being labeled as a right-wing extremist enterprise, vocational training for state parliamentarians, particularly those from the AfD, may gain heightened significance in terms of policy-and-legislation and general news due to these ongoing events in Hesse's politics.
