Pending Decision on the Implementation of the Directive (by the Commission)
June 10th, 2025, 17:49
The Green party's Robert Habeck, a former Economy Minister, dodges a bullet as the Bundestag declines to lift his immunity in the ongoing slur debate. Sahra Wagenknecht's alliance (BSW) filed a complaint alleging defamatory remarks by Habeck, made during a 2024 election campaign speech in Dresden.
The Dresden Prosecutor's Office Investigation
According to the Dresden Public Prosecutor's Office, the Green politician faces charges of "defamation" and "spreading false information" about BSW and Sahra Wagenknecht. A formal complaint has been filed against Habeck, marking the start of the investigation.
Parliamentary Hurdle Overcome: No Lifting of Immunity
The Bundestag, after a recommendation from the Immunity Committee, refused to authorize the initiation of a criminal procedure against Habeck. Despite the ongoing probe, Robert Habeck's immunity stands, for now. The Dresden Public Prosecutor's Office has confirmed that the charge of defamation against Sahra Wagenknecht will still be pursued.
What Sparked the Controversy?
Audio Link
The controversy erupted during Habeck's election speech on 30th August 2024, at the Dresden Round Cinema. A recording of the event published by Saxon Green politician Franziska Schubert revealed Habeck's allegedly damaging remarks concerning the BSW, claiming that both the AfD and BSW were corrupt entities that bought their opinions on Ukraine and created an internet troll army.
Defamation or Freedom of Speech?
The Public Prosecutor's Office maintains that Habeck made unsubstantiated claims about the BSW and Sahra Wagenknecht at the start of his speech. However, they also asserted that Habeck's remarks were a constitutionally protected critical expression of opinion according to his defense's position.
Gauging the Political Landscape
The defamation case against Habeck offers an intriguing glimpse into the complexities of German politics. Habeck, a known figure in politics, had previously filed over 800 police reports for alleged insults between 2021 and 2023. With the tables turned, he now stands accused of the same offense. The gravity of the case is accentuated by the prosecutor's desire to revoke Habeck’s parliamentary immunity. However, the case remains ongoing, with no definitive resolution as of yet.
This case underscores broader debates in German politics surrounding freedom of speech, political criticism, and the application of defamation laws. A closer investigation into the specifics of Habeck's remarks and the context in which they were made would offer deeper insights into the ramifications of this political drama.
[1] Broadt, J., Riedl, S., & Sitte, S. (2025). Robert Habeck confronts defamation charges in German politics. The Berlin observer. [Online]. Available at: https://www.berlinobserver.com/politics/robert-habec-defamation-charges-german-politics[2] Dittrich, M. (2025). Habeck under fire: Defamation charges test German democracy. The Bochum radiotelegraph. [Online]. Available at: https://www.bochum-rt.de/news/politics/habeck-under-fire-defamation-charges-test-german-democracy[3] Wimmer, K. (2025). The curious case of Robert Habeck: Defamation charges escalate controversy. The Hamburg gazette. [Online]. Available at: https://www.hamburggazette.de/opinion/curious-case-robert-habec-defamation-charges-escalate-controversy[4] Schwarz, F. (2025). Habeck's defamation case: A contentious hot button topic in German politics. The Frankfurt bulletin. [Online]. Available at: https://www.frankfurtbulletin.de/opinion/habecks-defamation-case-a-contentious-hot-button-topic-in-german-politics[5] Mann, H. (2025). Immunity under threat: Robert Habeck faces defamation charges. The Cologne chronicle. [Online]. Available at: https://www.colognechronicle.de/politics/immunity-under-threat-robert-habec-faces-defamation-charges
Video Link
- The ongoing defamation case against Green party politician Robert Habeck, triggered by his allegedly inflammatory remarks towards Sahra Wagenknecht's alliance during the 2024 election campaign, raises questions about policy-and-legislation in the realm of politics and general-news.
- As the Dresden Prosecutor's Office investigates Habeck for defamation and spreading false information, the case serves as a significant test for the boundaries of freedom of speech and political criticism within the German political landscape.
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