Fanaticism or Radicalism in beliefs or actions. - Potsdam targets lawmakers in Sellner case
Potsdam's Administrative Court has accepted an urgent request by the ex-leader of Austria's far-right Identitarian Movement, Sellner, to stop a state-wide entry prohibition that was put in place by the city. This means Sellner can keep visiting Germany, while the authorities consider his main court case.
The court declared the decision as illegal. It's paused the immediate imposition of the ban. Consequently, Sellner has the freedom to enter Germany until a final verdict is made in the primary case.
Deputy Mayor Meier stated, "After careful consideration, Potsdam's Foreigners' Office decided to lift this entry ban." But, due to the "liberal-democratic fundamental order" we have in place, the legal hurdles to put constraints on overall freedoms are extra challenging. Some figures in the right-wing movement have abused this, Meier pointed out. Visits by these activists deliberately undermine our "liberal-democratic fundamental order."
The city is working out how to proceed from here. "We're going to meticulously study the Potsdam Administrative Court's justification, internally discuss further steps, and then update you on the matter," a city spokesperson said in response to a question. Initially, the city had prepared to engage in a long court battle.
The entry ban on Sellner was put in place by Potsdam's Foreigners' Office at the start of the year. This action came after Sellner spoke at a gathering of far-right individuals in a villa within the city in November 2023. Sellner talked about "re-migration", a term often used by right-wing extremists who suggest many people of foreign origin should be forced to leave the country. The meeting sparked a wave of protests all around the nation.
The city argued that Sellner was a threat to public order and security. Sellner disagreed and sued the Potsdam Administrative Court.
