AFDE's national conference - Essen City declares no voluntary agreement from the AfD.
The debate surrounding the AfD's planned federal party congress in Essen has led to some controversy. The city administration claims that the party has failed to submit the required contract annex. City spokeswoman Silke Lenz stated to the German Press Agency that "there has been no signed commitment from the AfD by midnight."
On Tuesday, the AfD's federal board rejected the city of Essen's request for a "written, legally enforceable undertaking" as part of the rented Grugahalle's closed rental contract. This legally-binding agreement would require the party to refrain from using controversial expressions such as the SA slogan "All for Germany" during the June 29th and 30th gathering. Fines up to 500,000 euros were threatened in the event of violations.
The city council instructed the event organizer of the Grugahalle, the Messe Essen GmbH, to terminate the rental contract without notice if the undertaking was not provided by June 4th at the latest.
On Wednesday morning, Lenz anticipated that the termination would soon be publicized. Further details on this matter would be discussed at the town hall in the afternoon.
The AfD warned of legal action: "If the city and the Messe Essen GmbH continue acting illegally, we will immediately seek legal protection," commented Federal Vice President Peter Boehringer. AfD board member Roman Reusch added that "a legally valid contract cannot be unilaterally altered in a law-abiding state." As the contract termination is imminent, "if we don't conform to this necessary behavior," a complaint has already been lodged with the Essen Public Prosecutor's Office against Essen's Mayor Thomas Kufen, among others.
The main focus of the AfD's party congress at the end of June is the election of a new board. Several resistance organizations have announced their intent to disrupt the meeting. Over a dozen counter-demonstrations have been planned. The police estimate that several tens of thousands of individuals will participate.
Read also:
- Despite the controversies, the AfD remains committed to holding their party conference in North Rhine-Westphalia, as self-commitment towards their political activities is essential for them.
- The German Press Agency reported that the city of Essen has threatened to terminate the rental contract for the AfD party conference at Grugahalle due to the lack of a self-committed undertaking, which includes abstaining from controversial expressions.
- Food supplies for the expected thousands of attendees during the AfD party conference have been arranged, with various food vendors and restaurant agreements made to ensure a sufficient supply of meals for the participants.
- Amidst the ongoing dispute between the city, the AfD, and the Messe Essen GmbH, several political parties in North Rhine-Westphalia have announced that they will host food stalls at the counter-demonstrations happening during the AfD party conference, aiming to engage with the public and promote their food policies.
