Irene Mihalic opposes early demands for a ban on AfD.
Just recently, the Higher Administrative Court in Münster declared the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a party with potential right-wing extremist tendencies. Following this ruling, Irene Mihalic, Parliamentary Secretary of the Greens, cautions against quickly calling for a ban on the party.
While some Green Party leaders in various states advocate for a ban, Irene Mihalic takes a more nuanced approach. In a discussion event titled "Basic Law 75: Resilient for the Future of Democracy" held in Berlin, she shared her thoughts about the matter. She believes that if the AfD is eventually classified as a confirmed right-wing extremist organization by intelligence services, it is crucial to weigh the pros and cons carefully. Furthermore, she stressed the significance of not publicly advocating for a ban until there is more clarity on the situation and agreement across parties.
Felor Badenberg, the non-partisan Berlin Senator for Justice, also spoke at the event. She considers the AfD a genuine threat and pointed out concerning survey trends. However, she thinks that the best course of action is to engage in critical dialogue, find solutions, and avoid making sweeping statements. At this particular moment, she advised against discussing a ban.
The president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Thomas Haldenwang, attended the event as well. He dismissed the notion that the court's decision would notably alter the situation. He also noted that the Office will wait for and assess the written reasoning behind the ruling before considering any additional measures.
The Rhineland-Palatinate Greens are among those who have pushed for a ban following the Münster ruling. Berlin Green Party state chairwomen Nina Stahr and Philmon Ghirmai believe that the AfD poses a threat to democracy and its citizens and consequently, there is a pressing need to initiate a ban procedure.
Only the Bundestag, Bundesrat, and Federal Government have the authority to file for a party ban. The final say on such an application lies with the Federal Constitutional Court.
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- Despite the ruling by the Higher Administrative Court in Münster, Alliance 90/The Greens Minster Thomas Haldenwang emphasizes the need for careful consideration before advocating for a ban on AfD.
- In contrast to some Green Party leaders in states like North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate, Alliance 90/The Greens Parliamentary Secretary Irene Mihalic emphasizes the importance of engaging in critical dialogue before advocating for a ban on AfD.
- The president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Thomas Haldenwang, represents a moderate stance on the issue, stating that the office will wait for the detailed reasoning behind the Münster court's ruling before considering any additional measures against AfD.
- In the aftermath of the Münster court's ruling, Right-wing extremism remains a concern in German politics, with various parties, including Alliance 90/The Greens and the Alternative for Germany (AfD), holding differing views on the best response.
Source: www.ntv.de
