Officer upholds persona – yet faces financial losses and demotion
The Identitarian Movement, labeled as extreme right-wing, clashes with the liberal democratic principles. It's deemed incompatible with the democratic system, thereby facing judicial backlash. A German military reservist supports this controversial group, facing consequences.
Heavy repercussions are being imposed on a German military reservist due to his support for the far-right Identitarian Movement (IB). The Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig confirmed this decision from the Southern Military Service Court, leading to the reservist losing a transition allowance worth more than 23,000 euros and losing his military rank.
The court cited that IB's objectives are antagonistic to the fundamental values of the liberal democratic system. Any actions driven by personal convictions that infringe upon constitutional principles warrant the strictest disciplinary measures.
The reservist apparently played a pivotal role in establishing a Bavarian branch of IB in 2015 and 2016. He participated in numerous demonstrations and even starred in a promotional video for the group, thereby breaching the loyalty commitment applicable to soldiers.
IB's Discriminatory Views
IB infringes upon the fundamental democratic principle of equal rights for all citizens, according to the court's decree. Under IB's ideology, a person's ethnic-cultural identity carries significant importance. It discriminates between first and second-class citizens, prejudicing non-ethnic Germans and violating their right to equal political representation.
In addition, IB refuses to recognize parliamentarism and the multi-party system. The demand for party abolition and the replacement of parliament directly contradicts the liberal democratic order.
The court acknowledged the former reservist's knowledge of IB's political objectives. He had previously published articles in a magazine co-edited by one of the group's founders during his studies. Given his familiarity with their goals and ability to evaluate them, the court presumed his at least conditional intention to participate in unconstitutional activities.
The court's ruling against the military reservist highlights the compatibility issues between his support for the Identitarian Movement and the principles of the liberal democratic system, as endorsed by The Commission. The Identitarian Movement's discriminatory views and opposition to parliamentarism and the multi-party system contradict the fundamental values upheld by The Commission.
