German Parliament removes immunity from AfD member Gnauck.
Another AfD MP, Hannes Gnauck, has had his immunity lifted by the Bundestag. The Bundestag made this decision against the AfD after a recommendation from the Immunity Committee. The reason for the removal of his immunity is not yet clear, but according to ARD, it may be related to a disciplinary complaint from Gnauck's time in the Bundeswehr. Gnauck is the chairman of the party's youth organization, Junge Alternative, which was classified as a right-wing extremist movement by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in April 2023. An appeal against this classification is currently being heard at the Higher Administrative Court in Münster.
The cause for the revocation of Gnauck's immunity was initially hidden, but there are reports that it could be a disciplinary complaint from his time serving in the military. Gnauck served in the Bundeswehr from 2014 to 2021. Other politicians had criticized his presence on the parliamentary defense committee after the Bundeswehr's Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) labeled him as an "extremist." Gnauck himself offered to waive his immunity weeks ago to clear up the allegations, but was told by Bundestag President Bärbel Bas that this step was not necessary at the time. Now, as the EU elections approach, Gnauck's immunity is being lifted without apparent reason, allowing for investigations into a case that has been dormant for three years.
Regarding the issue, Gnauck stated, "The portrayal of opposition politicians as corrupt or criminal is obviously intended to sway elections. This strategy is harmful to democracy and the rule of law." He denies any wrongdoing and will await the results of the investigation.
It's important to note that Gnauck's party colleague, Petr Bystron, is currently being investigated on suspicion of bribery and money laundering, and his immunity was lifted today, along with a search of his parliamentary office.
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The removal of Hannes Gnauck's immunity in the German Bundestag has sparked debate due to his involvement in the German Armed Forces. Critics point to his past classification as an "extremist" by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and his presence on the parliamentary defense committee. Gnauck's party colleague, Petr Bystron, is currently under investigation for bribery and money laundering, further fueling concerns about the AfD's extremist tendencies, as highlighted by Bärbel Bas, the Bundestag President.
Source: www.ntv.de
