Members of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) parliamentary group in the Bavarian Landtag have filed a constitutional complaint challenging the implementation of financial penalties for parliamentary members. Simultaneously, AfD representative Oskar Lipp is pursuing legal action against a penalty imposed on him, the group announced Wednesday. This represents the first case of its kind in the state of Bavaria.
Christoph Maier, parliamentary managing director of the AfD group, described the legislation as “completely undefined” and cautioned against potential misuse to penalize dissenting opinions. The group previously voiced concerns regarding restrictions on freedom of speech during the law’s introduction earlier this year.
Representative Lipp stated that the justification provided for the penalty levied against him, stemming from a comparison he made regarding Ukraine, was “completely inadequate” and that he did not receive a written response to his objection. He was informed of the enforcement of the penalty via email. The legal challenge, he explained, is intended to uphold freedom of speech and encourage others in similar situations to take action.
