Amid high polling numbers for the AfD party in Saxony-Anhalt, various police unions have warned about potential security risks should the party successfully take governmental control.
According to Dirk Peglow, chairman of the German Federal Police Association, the core concern relates to maintaining the “functionality of the democratic rule of law”. Peglow specifically highlighted the interior and justice departments, citing issues regarding continued access to safety-relevant information.
Adding to these concerns, Heiko Teggatz, the national chairman of the German Police Union, pointed out dangers associated with a general influx of political civil servants-such as State Secretaries, department heads, and heads of higher authorities. Teggatz cautioned that this situation creates a risk of parties like the AfD or the Left installing partisan loyalists in crucial positions. As a preventative measure, Teggatz suggested limiting the appointments of political civil servants solely to the State Secretary level.
Furthermore, Jochen Kopelke, the chairman of the Police Union (GdP), raised alarms regarding the potential erosion of the right of remonstrance for civil servants. This is a legally established right that permits officials to refuse orders if they believe those orders are unlawful. Kopelke expressed particular worry that the AfD criticizes this right and intends to restrict it. He also noted the difficulty for any state government to function if it cannot obtain security clearance and access confidential documents.
