Assessing the Login for AfD Officials: Should Member Public Servants Be Discontinued? "Not an Automatic Action"
- "No Form of Predetermined Action Exists"
What are the repercussions of the federal AfD being labeled as a securely right-wing extremist organization? Although the domestic intelligence agency has suspended this label pending a court decision, this development sparks discussions on the status of officials with AfD links—should they retain their positions, or must the state protect itself from potential threats to the constitutional order? Let's delve into the key points and shed light on the controversy.
Are All Officials with AfD Connections Now at Risk?
No, there's no immediate "automatic action". Kai Rosenberger, the head of the Civil Service Union in Baden-Württemberg, explains that action is contingent on the individual behavior of the civil servant. Although there's a correlation between being an AfD functionary and higher risk, normal members may not face immediate consequences. However, those who defy the liberal democratic order can expect a thorough review and potential removal. It's worth mentioning that this isn't exclusive to right-wing extremism; such measures could also be applicable to left-wing extremists or Islamist sympathizers.
Do Civil Servants Have Special Regulations?
Yes, according to Judith Froese, a public law professor at the University of Constance. The purpose behind these special rules is the state's reliance on committed individuals who represent it. Therefore, it's crucial to keep constitutional enemies out of the state apparatus. AfD-affiliated civil servants have committed to the liberal democratic order upon joining the service. The oath is outlined in the state Civil Service Law, and membership in a right-wing extremist party is incompatible with it.
Have Dismissals from the Civil Service Already Occurred?
In 2021, former public prosecutor and AfD member of the Bundestag Thomas Seitz was forced out of the civil service due to his xenophobic, Islamophobic, and justice-delegitimizing statements. While the frequency of such dismissals in the Southwest remains unclear, the Ministry of the Interior has yet to provide corresponding figures. The head of the Civil Service Union, Rosenberger, claims to be aware of only a few cases where civil servants have actually been removed from service.
Why Do the Greens Want Comprehensive Reviews of AfD Affiliates?
Stemming from concerns about the AfD's anti-democratic activities and threats to constitutional values, the Green Party wants the state to protect itself from potential internal threats. While the view of systematic reviews is questioned by the head of the Civil Service Association due to practical difficulties and privacy concerns, the state needs to defend its democratic foundations.
What is the Future Outlook?
The outcome of legal challenges against the AfD's classification is still undetermined. However, should the Federal Constitutional Court declare the party unconstitutional, the consequences for its members in public service would be significant, potentially leading to severe disciplinary actions or dismissals due to conflicts with their commitment to uphold the democratic order.
Government-subsidies to the AfD and the party's political future are pending judicial decisions. Meanwhile, audits of public servants affiliated with the AfD are underway or in planning stages in several states, aiming to ensure the democratic order's integrity. Balancing constitutional protections with the need to combat anti-democratic influences within the public sector remains a key challenge.
- Despite the AfD being labeled as a securely right-wing extremist organization, there's no immediate automatic action for all civil servants with AfD connections.
- AfD-affiliated civil servants have committed to the liberal democratic order upon joining the service, with membership in a right-wing extremist party being incompatible with their oath outlined in the state Civil Service Law.
- In 2021, former public prosecutor and AfD member of the Bundestag Thomas Seitz was dismissed from the civil service due to his xenophobic, Islamophobic, and justice-delegitimizing statements.
- The Green Party, expressing concerns about the AfD's anti-democratic activities and threats to constitutional values, wants the state to conduct comprehensive reviews of its affiliates in the public service to protect itself from potential internal threats.
