Following increasing concerns regarding the political landscape, Felix Banaszak, leader of the Green Party, has urged Jens Spahn, parliamentary group leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), to participate in cross-factional discussions regarding a potential ban on the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Banaszak emphasized the growing consensus that the AfD holds extremist right-wing views and openly discusses plans that include limitations on freedom of expression and press freedom. He suggested the urgency of the situation warrants immediate action, citing the potential for significant policy shifts.
The Green Party’s parliamentary group leaders have extended invitations to all other democratic factions to initiate dialogue on the matter. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Left Party have reportedly agreed to participate. Banaszak specifically appealed to the CDU and CSU to reconsider their current strategies regarding the AfD.
He cautioned against adopting the rhetoric or positions of extremist groups, arguing that such actions do not weaken them but, conversely, legitimize their presence and influence, as reflected in recent polling data.
Banaszak expressed broader anxieties about the global resurgence of right-wing extremism, drawing parallels to developments in the United States. He argued that a “business as usual” approach is untenable in the face of such challenges, advocating for a renewed sense of urgency and warning against the dangers of unchecked anti-democratic forces. He stated that allowing anti-democratic elements to undermine the democratic order from within is unacceptable.
According to Article 21 of the German Basic Law, parties whose objectives or the actions of their supporters aim to undermine or abolish the basic democratic order or endanger the existence of the Federal Republic of Germany are deemed unconstitutional.
