Thousands of people rallied in cities across Germany on Sunday to protest right-wing extremism and demand a ban on the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
The demonstrations were organized by the network Together Against the Right and other civil society groups.
In Berlin, protesters gathered at the Brandenburg Gate, with police estimating the crowd at around 4,000 by late afternoon, while organizers claimed approximately 7,500 participants. Around 2,500 demonstrators also took to the streets in Munich, with rallies announced in more than 60 cities nationwide.
Organizers urged political leaders to begin formal proceedings to outlaw the far-right AfD, Germany's largest opposition party.
In a statement, they argued that the issue of banning the party should be seen not as a political decision, but as a legal matter.
"To clarify this, politicians must find the courage to file a motion for a ban," it said.
The organizers are calling on the Bundestag and Bundesrat legislative bodies, as well as the new federal government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, to initiate ban proceedings against the AfD before the Federal Constitutional Court.
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The AfD is known for its anti-immigration, anti-Muslim, eurosceptic and nationalist rhetoric. The populist party has been a flashpoint in German political life for more than a decade. It has benefited in recent years by tapping into economic discontent and growing unease over refugees.
No. These protesters were antifascists protesting FOR a ban of the AFD. The AFD Party has been classified as right-winged extremists in the last week by the german domestic intelligence service.
Since the bad experience of the NSDAP , that has been elected democratically back then, the new constitution allows to ban a poltical Party. but only under very strict conditions of course. I think the Party has to be some kind of extremist, has to provenly work against our constitution, has to have a relevant size and influence (small groups don't count) and some other points.... Its not easy at all to ban a party - it shouldn't be easy. But many people think Afd fulfills all the points.
Since now the intelligence service also has proof that the AFD is right winged extremist,many people are convinced that now a ban would be arguably possible in front of the court. However, only members of the Bundestag can ask for such a ban. This is why this weekend many people went on the streets to protest against the Extremist AFD and to ask the other politicians to demand such a ban from the federal constitutional court.
You just said Germany's current admin had their version of the KGB classify their political opponents as extremist.
How is that not fascist?
No it is not the politicians that asked the intelligent service to do so. Also I am not sure intelligent service is the right word (translators said so but its not accurate). The literal translation of them would be protectors of the constitution. We have another intelligent service that does the typical intelligence service stuff as well. These people however only care for the constitution and finding their enemies - no matter if left or right or whatever. If they suspect people they can spy on them to find evidence but only if the court allows it. Its not a political party or the government giving them orders. They just look everywhere for enemies of the constituion. Also parties even know they are under stricter observation if the case. The AFD was announced to be a suspected case for years and since this annoincement they knew this service is collecting material about them. still they openly behaved the way they did. Also In the past this service was more critized for looking for left extremist and not caring too much about right-winged extremist. So them doing this statement about the afd is alarming. It means they could not look away anymore. They found proof that they are extremists that actively work against our constitution. Of course the state should now this.
Do you not see the problem with that?
Not really. Of course a ban is the last option but this law is so strict its not easy too misuse it. I do see a big problem with a proven right- wingend extremistpartty getting power tho.
If you are intolerant, you don't deserve tolerance.
If you are anti-democratic, you don't deserve democratic power.
Thus a ban can be justified. It isn't used lightly.
Well said!
Nobody here is going to play your stupid game.
Nazis are a cancer on society— it's an ideology for dweebs and morons who want to blame minorities for their problems.
So it's a toss up as to whether you understand how stupid it is to call people calling for consequences to a far-right reactionary movement "fascists." What is certain, however, is that you're a dweeb who thinks hating minorities is enough for you to find common cause with these doofuses.