- The report recommends measures against extremists
A legal opinion urges the State Parliament to promptly establish foundations for action against extremist faction and MP employees. Currently, administration can only take "very limited measures," says legal scholar Markus Ogorek, commissioned by the State Parliament, in his analysis obtained by dpa. The "Rheinische Post" had previously reported on the paper.
The State Parliament commissioned the opinion in April after media reports revealed numerous right-wing extremist employees of the AfD in the Bundestag. In June, a sensitive case was made public in the North Rhine-Westphalian State Parliament: An employee of an AfD MP was reportedly convicted in 2022 for an antisemitic attack, the verdict not yet final. The State Parliament reacted, imposing restrictions on the employee, including a ban from large areas of the building.
The 64-page opinion briefly mentions this incident but mainly analyzes the general legal basis of the State Parliament to react to extremists within its own ranks. Options are limited, says Ogorek. "Given numerous real threat scenarios, action is needed," he concludes. He suggests changes in the house rules to generally restrict access to the State Parliament or internal systems - and only later ease these restrictions.
Legal scholar proposes "loyalty clause"
Moreover, Ogorek recommends a "loyalty clause" in model employment contracts and more frequent "formal confidentiality obligations," for instance, in internal or economic committees. Preventing MPs or factions from hiring employees with extremist connections is legally challenging, he says.
State Parliament President André Kuper commented on the opinion: "Extremists don't belong in parliaments, as they are particularly dangerous here, at the heart of democracy." The State Parliament has already adapted security measures, but more is needed: "It's about ensuring the State Parliament's ability to act and defend itself when cases emerge of employees of MPs and factions belonging to or supporting organizations deemed unconstitutional."
The legal scholar's recommendation for a "loyalty clause" in model employment contracts could potentially enhance the screening process for Rhine postal services employed by parliament members. Addressing the issue of extremist links among parliamentary employees, Ogorek suggests more frequent "formal confidentiality obligations" in internal committees, highlighting the challenges in preventing such connections.
