The Bundestag voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to lift the parliamentary immunity of AfD Member of Parliament Raimond Scheirich, marking a significant development in ongoing legal proceedings against the politician. The decision, reached without debate during a morning session, saw unanimous support from the ruling coalition of CDU/CSU (Union), the SPD, the Green Party and the Left Party. The AfD parliamentary group notably abstained from the vote, signaling a clear political divide on the matter.
The move follows a recommendation from the Committee for the Examination of the Election, Immunity and Rules of Procedure, which formally requested the suspension of Scheirich’s immunity. This parliamentary approval now permits law enforcement to execute search warrants and seize assets belonging to the AfD politician, although the precise nature of the legal investigations remains unclear.
The decision highlights the increasingly precarious legal position of several high-ranking AfD members and underscores the party’s ongoing entanglement with authorities. While the precise accusations against Scheirich have not been publicly detailed, the breadth of support for the immunity lift across the parliamentary spectrum – excluding the AfD itself – suggests the allegations are considered serious.
Analysts suggest the AfD’s abstention reflects a complex calculus; while publicly condemning what they frame as politically motivated harassment, the party understands the optics of obstructing legal processes could further damage their image. However, the muted response and absence of forceful defense from the governing parties, particularly concerning the lack of transparency surrounding the investigations, have drawn criticism from some legal experts, who argue the lack of public information could be interpreted as a circumvention of due process. The incident is likely to fuel ongoing debates about the balance between parliamentary privilege and the rule of law within the German political system.
