The Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate, Alexander Schweitzer, has cautioned against initiating proceedings to ban the Alternative for Germany (AfD) prematurely.
In an interview with “Welt am Sonntag” Schweitzer expressed support for preparing such a process, emphasizing the importance of thorough groundwork. He stated that the AfD’s current level of public support should not deter the consideration of measures to protect democratic principles. “It’s about strengthening and safeguarding our democracy” he explained, “and one cannot simply avoid action due to popularity.
Addressing recent media reports, Schweitzer clarified that members of the AfD will continue to be eligible to hold positions in the state civil service in Rhineland-Palatinate. He affirmed that individuals deemed inimical to the constitution are not suitable for public service, but stressed that each case should be assessed individually. According to Schweitzer, the AfD in Rhineland-Palatinate has been placed on a list of parties and organizations where reservations regarding their adherence to the constitution are warranted.
