Following the AfD’s electoral success in Saxony-Anhalt, Bundestag Vice-President Bodo Ramelow (Die Linke) has called for the inclusion of an anti-fascist clause in Germany’s Basic Law.
Speaking to the “Rheinische Post”, Ramelow asserted that if democratic parties are serious about drawing a clear line against the political right, they must also commit to this goal.
Specifically, Ramelow proposes amending Article 139 of the Basic Law. This article governs the validity of legal regulations issued by the Allies regarding denazification and demilitarization. Since Ramelow stated that Allied law no longer applies, he believes the nation should bravely strengthen this anti-fascist mandate and secure it within an expanded Article 139.
He also added that the AfD, despite its claims of not being a fascist party, would need to support this motion. If all parties supported it, Ramelow suggested, the amendment to Article 139 could pass with strong, broad consensus.
Ramelow also referenced that an anti-fascist clause had already been included in the state constitution of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, achieving this even with the support of members of the CDU.
