Officials with ties to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party are being urged for a consistent national policy across the country.
In the aftermath of the German authorities classifying the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as "undoubtedly right-wing extremist" in 2025, the issue of civil servants who are members of the AfD has become a topic of intense debate.
German lawmakers have discussed measures such as dismissing civil servants affiliated with the AfD and limiting or halting public funding for the party. However, the practical enforcement and success of such measures remain uncertain and controversial.
Alexander Dobrindt, the incoming German interior minister, has expressed skepticism about banning the entire AfD party outright. He suggested that rather than banning, the AfD "needs to be governed away," implying that governance and addressing underlying issues should be prioritized over outright exclusion.
In an interview with "Bild," Dobrindt advised against "piecemeal decisions" regarding the AfD members in the civil service, emphasizing the need for a coordinated approach by federal and state governments. He also stated that the loyalty to the constitution for civil servants can only be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The upcoming Interior Ministers' Conference, scheduled for 11-13 June in Bremerhaven, will serve as a platform for thorough discussion on this matter. Baden-Württemberg's Ministry of the Interior has warned against hasty action against AfD members in the civil service, echoing Dobrindt's call for a measured and coordinated approach.
The location of the Interior Ministers' Conference remains Bremerhaven, and the date remains 11-13 June. The conference will provide an opportunity for federal and state governments to coordinate their approach to the issue of AfD members in the civil service.
Opponents of the AfD are employing legal means to exclude the party from political participation, such as courts allowing bans on AfD candidates in local elections due to doubts about their loyalty to the German Constitution. This indicates that at local and administrative levels, AfD members face tangible political and legal consequences stemming from the extremist classification.
As the situation remains dynamic, ongoing debates on the legal and political approach to the AfD and its members in public service continue. The government is navigating a complex path balancing constitutional legal barriers against the desire to curb the influence of an increasingly popular far-right party, which doubled its Bundestag vote share in 2025 to 20.8%.
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