The Union supports the move proposed by the Ministers of Justice to remove top politicians from the stipulations concerning political insults. According to Martin Plum, the Union’s parliamentary justice representative, “The same rules must apply to citizens and top politicians when it comes to insults.” He noted that the decision by the Ministers of Justice Conference is a positive step.
Plum stressed that special criminal laws should not be created specifically for high-level politicians, arguing that “Paragraph 188 of the German Criminal Code cannot remain as it is.”
Following the conference’s decision, Paragraph 188 will no longer apply to top politicians, meaning they will be subject to the same general criminal protections as every other citizen. Although the ministers maintain that they find it useful to provide special protection against insults, this protection is specifically restricted to politicians who work at the municipal level.
Despite his support for the reform, Plum cautioned against a decline in debate culture, stating, “The coarsening in public spaces is growing.” Because of this growing hostility and abuse, he insisted that all citizens need better protection, particularly local politicians who require effective safeguarding against intimidation and personal attacks.
