Extremism - NRW Office for the Protection of the Constitution: AfD offspring as a suspected case
The North Rhine-Westphalian Office for the Protection of the Constitution has classified the youth organization of the AfD, Junge Alternative (JA), in NRW as a suspected right-wing extremist organization. "There are strong indications that the Junge Alternative does not play by democratic rules, but prefers its own right-wing extremist set of rules," announced Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) on Tuesday. The NRW Office for the Protection of the Constitution is therefore monitoring the Junge Alternative from now on.
Since 2019, the state association of JA NRW has ideologically aligned itself with the political course of the federal association of Junge Alternative, the Minister of the Interior continued. This is characterized by a "national-ethnic understanding of the people and xenophobia". JA NRW also represents positions that violate the guarantee of human dignity. In particular, the aim of excluding and disparaging people with a migration background and Muslims is evident.
In recent years, JA NRW has developed into a component of the right-wing extremist movement of the New Right, according to Reul. The NRW AfD youngsters promote the "Identitarian Movement" and its successor organizations such as "Lukreta", "Revolte Rheinland", "1 Prozent" and the "Institut für Staatspolitik" on social media.
The NRW youth organization of the AfD also provides a forum for protagonists of the New Right. People with right-wing extremist biographies are also active in the JA NRW. Another important indication is the proximity to the formally dissolved so-called wing of the AfD federal party and its ideological leader Björn Höcke.
In a suspected case, there are "sufficiently weighty factual indications" of anti-constitutional aspirations. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution can then evaluate and store personal data and, under strict conditions, use intelligence service means, such as surveillance or recruiting informants.
A dispute is currently pending at the Münster Higher Administrative Court between the AfD federal party and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution regarding the classification of the party as a suspected case of right-wing extremism. The federal association of the AfD is defending itself against a ruling at first instance. In March 2022, the Cologne Administrative Court ruled in favor of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution when it classified the AfD as a suspected case. The Federal Association of the Junge Alternative also no longer wants to be classified as a suspected case.
The decisions of the OVG in Münster in these nationwide cases are expected in the spring. The proceedings are pending in NRW because the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has its headquarters in Cologne.
Interior Minister Reul said that the AfD youth organization must be dealt with politically, regardless of the technical assessment. "To do this, we as political leaders must make good policies for the people in this country and explain them sensibly."
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- The classification of the Junge Alternative (JA) in NRW as a suspected right-wing extremist organization by the North Rhine-Westphalian Office for the Protection of the Constitution has caused controversy among some Muslims in the region.
- Herbert Reul, the Interior Minister of NRW and a member of the CDU, has been a vocal critic of the AfD and its youth organization, JA, stating that there are indications of xenophobia and a "national-ethnic understanding of the people".
- The secret services in North Rhine-Westphalia are closely monitoring the activities of the Junge Alternative, as they are suspected of promoting extremist ideologies and maintaining contacts with right-wing extremist groups.
- The suspected case of right-wing extremism involving the AfD and its youth organization is not limited to NRW, as similar investigations are taking place in other parts of Germany, including federal level.
- Some politicians from other parties in North Rhine-Westphalia, such as the Green Party, have called for a ban on the AfD and its youth organization, citing the rise of extremism and hate speech.
- However, the AfD and its supporters have disputed the classification of the party as a suspected case of right-wing extremism, arguing that it is a mistake and a violation of their constitutional rights.
- The developments surrounding the AfD and its youth organization have sparked a broader debate about the role of extremist parties in democratic societies and the limits of freedom of speech and assembly.
Source: www.stern.de
