Take that, Right-wing Extremism! FC Bundestag To Kick Out AfD MPs
Segregation or division of territory or property. A political, administrative, or social action or process aimed at separating entities into distinct parts or sections. - Parliament seeks to disallow AfD legislators
By Lisa Becke** + - 2 Min.
Ready to pass the ball with a bunch of right-wing extremists on the team? Not so fast, says FC Bundestag – the parliamentary football club that regularly goes head-to-head with recreational teams. The club is considering a rule change that would bar AfD MPs from joining their ranks.
The proposed rule change requires all members to pledge allegiance to the "free and democratic basic order," making that the foundation of the club's activities. And, you already guessed it – the club will have zero tolerance for racist, anti-constitutional, and xenophobic nonsense.
The board will make the final call on admitting or rejecting applicants with a simple majority vote. And if a member is caught uttering extremist or anti-constitutional rhetoric whether inside or outside the club? Well, they're outta here.
AfD footballers already winning in court
But why the ban on AfD MPs? It's a hot topic that's being debated in many German parliaments now: What to do with these pesky AfD reps? The party's members argue that they're being unfairly treated, what with no committee chairmanships and no big enough room for their growing group.
However, the club's plan to boot out AfD MPs with the new rules might land them in hot water legally. The party is currently taking the German government to court over its classification as a "confirmed right-wing extremist endeavor" by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV).
Just a few months ago, FC Bundestag had a legal losses in this dispute: The club was slapped with a lawsuit last year for deeming membership incompatible with membership in the AfD. The AfD MPs won in Berlin's Regional Court, with the judge justifying her ruling by stating that the incompatibility resolution violated the existing club statutes. That needs to change, and fast.
Green MP Kassem Taher Saleh, who plays midfield for FC Bundestag, supports the move. He's got no problem with regular AfD voters, but "when it's about professionals who, with their words and actions, are also responsible for the fact that Nazis are becoming more open in this country again - and that queer people and migrants are increasingly under pressure," it's a completely different story, Saleh told stern. "We stand against them, on and off the pitch."
- AfD
- FC Bundestag
- Football club
- Bundestag
- The proposed rule change by FC Bundestag, a football club within the German parliament, aims to bar members of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, due to their alleged right-wing extremist views and actions.
- The controversy surrounding the AfD's membership in the football club is currently being debated in various German parliaments, with the party claiming they are being unfairly treated.
- The club's potential ban on AfD members might face legal challenges, as the party is currently taking the German government to court over its classification as a right-wing extremist endeavor by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV).
