Political groupings gather together. - Disagreement over AfD event in Essen: Successful outcome for the party.
In late June, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party will hold an election for a new executive board, which will involve 600 delegates. The venue for this meeting is Essen's Grugahalle, but the city's exhibition center has canceled the rental contract. As a result, the AfD has filed lawsuits against the city and the administrative court, and on the first instance, they emerged victorious - the city of Essen must provide the AfD with the Grugahalle.
However, a second proceeding is taking place at the regional court, and this matter will be discussed in oral proceedings on Monday.
Why did the city's exhibition company terminate the contract?
The AfD's contract with the Grugahalle has been in place for over a year and a half. The city argues that the party has shifted right-wing since the signing of the agreement. They point to the conviction of AfD parliamentary group leader Bjoern Hoecke for a fine related to L Most's banned slogan "Alles für Deutschland." To prevent such statements at the party conference, the city council demanded a self-commitment from the AfD, which the party refused. As a result, the contract was terminated.
What was the focus of the appeal to the administrative court?
The AfD, both as a party and the Essen City Council faction, submitted extensive lawsuits against the Essen City Council resolution and the resulting contract termination. Peter Boehringer, an AfD deputy, stated that the demand for a self-commitment to prevent criminal statements among hundreds of delegates and guests could not be implemented in practice. Additionally, the resolution was hurriedly placed on the city council agenda, violating required notice periods. Hence, the resolution was considered invalid.
The court did not accept the AfD's application and the formal criticism, but they did not see a solid basis for suspected legal violations. As a result, the city or its exhibition company must release the hall - a successful outcome for the party. It remained unclear on Monday morning if the city would appeal the decision. There is also an ongoing civil trial in the regional court.
What arguments is the AfD making at the regional court?
At the regional court, the focus will be on a specific contract clause. This clause allows for termination of the contract if "facts exist that justify fears of a disruption of public safety or order through (the) event." The AfD intends to contradict this argument in the oral proceedings. They consider the termination to be unlawful and demand observance of their rental contract. They also believe the clause is too vague and imprecise to justify the termination.
What are the chances of the AfD?
Before the first ruling, the contractual obligation indicated that a process of this nature might favor the AfD's position. If other parties were allowed to use the hall - as with a CDU federal party conference in 2016 - a municipal owner cannot refuse it to a single party without justification.
Following the administrative court ruling, the AfD's position is stronger for the civil proceedings, although both courts act independently. The Gelsenkirchen court has indicated that there is not a solid basis for the accusation of making punishable Nazi slogans.
The AfD is confident that their party conference will take place as planned. If they were to lose before one of the two courts, they would appeal to the next level, as indicated before Friday. There is "no Plan B" for an alternative location.
How are AfD opponents preparing for the party conference weekend?
Despite the legal battle, a coalition of city, churches, unions, companies, and initiatives is organizing a protest against the AfD party conference. Thousands of demonstrators are expected. It could be one of the largest demonstrations Essen has seen in years. The main event is planned on a trade fair park lot near the Grugahalle, where the AfD intends to hold their party conference. Buses will be bringing demonstrators from all over Germany to Essen. Near the Rhine, there are potential sites for tent accommodations for up to 6,000 foreign demonstration participants. Music and small art performances are also part of the anti-AfD protest.
Where is there a potential for conflict with the police?
The security forces will be in large numbers throughout the entire weekend. There are calls among the left-wing scene for "civil disobedience." Activists, for example, want to prevent AfD delegates from even getting to the party conference in the Grugahalle with blockades. The police have stated that they are prepared for such forms of protest. The security forces must ensure that both the party conference and the registered counter-events can take place, emphasized a police spokesperson. Personnel-wise, this is a considerable effort for the police in North Rhine-Westphalia - especially since simultaneous Euro 2024 soccer quarter-final matches are occurring in Dortmund, Gelsenkirchen, and Cologne.
