Brandenburg’s Minister-President Dietmar Woidke has acknowledged shortcomings in the approach taken towards the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
In remarks to the “Handelsblatt” business newspaper, Woidke stated that historically, the AfD was treated similarly to previous far-right fringe parties, a strategy he now considers a mistake. He characterized the AfD as distinct, highlighting its strategic approach, professionalism and its deliberate focus on addressing societal anxieties. Woidke also expressed regret that substantive engagement with the AfD’s political positions had been “neglected in recent years”. “Mistakes were made – including on our part here in Brandenburg” he conceded.
Despite this acknowledgement, the SPD politician voiced support for a potential legal challenge to ban the AfD, while simultaneously cautioning about the inherent risks involved. “If there is a suspicion that a party intends to abolish the free democratic basic order, there is even a duty to act” he stated. “But it is also clear that this will be a thorny path – both politically and legally.
Woidke drew upon his experience with the legal proceedings against the National Democratic Party of Germany (NPD) to illustrate the complexities involved. “I was Minister of the Interior when the NPD ban proceedings began and Minister-President when they ended in Karlsruhe” he noted. “I therefore know how lengthy and demanding such a process is”. He emphasized the importance of preparation, citing the establishment of a working group tasked with examining evidence and gathering materials as a prudent step.
