Conflict concerning AfD party meeting. - The AfD party is suing over the cancellation of their conference hall in Essen.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is suing the city of Essen over the cancellation of their rental contract for a venue where their federal party congress was supposed to take place in late June. The Essen District Court shared the news on Monday, stating that the goal is to have the Essen Grugahalle handed over to the AfD for their planned event from June 28 to 30. Although the court spokesperson didn't provide further details on the reason for the application, they mentioned that the competent chamber will discuss the application during an oral hearing the following Monday.
The AfD's congress had been planned as a place to elect a new executive board. The city terminated the contract because the AfD failed to provide the mandatory supplementary declaration for their 2023 rental contract. The city had requested the party to ensure that no National Socialist (NS) slogans would be used during the event to avoid a 500,000-euro contract penalty.
Last week, AfD Vice Peter Boehringer accused the city of legal violations. Boehringer told DPA it would be impossible to "know and prevent every legally questionable wording among 1800 participants and external, party-affiliated visitors at an event." He also stated on Telegram a few days ago, "No, the party congress will not fail."
Collaborating with another court, an additional lawsuit is expected to be filed at the Gelsenkirchen Administrative Court. An AfD lawyer confirmed this news to the media on Monday. In addition, the party has lodged a complaint against the Essen Mayor Thomas Kufen (CDU) with the Essen Public Prosecutor's Office, a spokesperson for the Essen Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed upon request.
