Interior ministers from the states are preparing for the possibility of the AfD achieving a significant electoral victory this autumn. Should the party secure a position as a state interior minister following the elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the established practice of the Interior Ministers’ Conference (IMK) reaching decisions unanimously could be abolished. This possibility was revealed to the FAZ by sources within the various state administrations.
A further consideration is that security agencies might cease providing briefings to the Interior Ministers, or access to this information might be denied to an AfD minister. According to one source from a West German state, the critical factor in evaluating this situation would be whether the minister himself is considered right-wing extremist or not.
The IMK is set to start in Hamburg on Wednesday. Andy Grote, spokesman for the Hamburg Interior Senator (SPD), stated that the AfD is not an official topic of discussion, and no resolutions regarding the party are planned or listed on the agenda. Similarly, Bavarian Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) told the FAZ that the AfD is not their “white elephant” in the room.
Meanwhile, Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) declined to participate in what he viewed as speculative scenarios, deeming the “what if” discussions entirely misplaced. However, observers anticipate that the handling of a possible AfD electoral victory will undoubtedly dominate conversations, perhaps during the informal dinner on Thursday evening.
The principal focus areas for the IMK include civil defense capabilities and the defense against hybrid threats. This emphasis is why Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) will be attending for the first time. Following the wishes of heads of interior departments, the plan is for the country to become resilient in its civilian sector. A “Roadmap for Civil Defense Capabilities” is slated for adoption, aiming to make the country resilient until 2029, ensuring that critical infrastructure remains functional even in the event of a conflict.
