Police forces are increasingly investigating individuals accused of insulting, defaming, or slandering politicians. According to the current police crime statistics (PKS) from the various German states, reported by “Welt” there were 4,792 offenses recorded under Section 188 of the Criminal Code in 2025. This figure marks an increase from 4,439 offenses in 2024, and a significant rise compared to the 2,598 reported cases in 2023.
These statistics reflect crimes that the police have investigated and do not indicate subsequent criminal convictions, yet they do offer insight into criminal trends. The federal government is scheduled to release the consolidated police crime statistics, which compile data from all the states, on Monday.
Lena Gumnior, a criminal law expert from the Green Party’s parliamentary group, corrected a common misconception by stating that Section 188 of the Criminal Code does not prohibit all criticism of politicians. She added that this law has been exploited by right-wing extremists within the AfD party to undermine trust in democracy using populist arguments.
Despite this, Gumnior suggested that a debate could focus on restricting the scope of the law to municipal and voluntary officials, who are increasingly facing threats and abuses. She noted that these individuals often lack substantial support and experienced contacts in such situations, whereas professional politicians have alternative mechanisms for protection.
