AfD candidates barred from elections in Germany

Authorities in Germany are intensifying checks on candidates from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, potentially barring them from running in elections. In the state of Lower Saxony, a revised municipal election law now permits a more comprehensive review of candidates' eligibility for administrative positions. This process can include considering findings from domestic intelligence agencies if there are "concrete indications of doubt" about a candidate's loyalty to the constitution.

Daniela Behrens, the Interior Minister of Lower Saxony, described the new procedure as a "crucial building block of a resilient democracy." However, constitutional law expert Volker Boehme-Neßler cautioned that excluding someone from an election requires proof of specific unconstitutional actions or statements. He argued that, based on currently known statements, AfD members' general party affiliation alone should not be sufficient grounds to question their constitutional loyalty.

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an important building block of a resilient democracy

This is not the first instance of AfD candidates facing electoral bans. Recently, AfD parliamentary representative Martin Sichert was also barred from running for district administrator in Friesland, Lower Saxony. This decision was also based on a report led by Minister Behrens, following contact between the district's election supervisor and the ministry seeking support to prohibit Sichert's candidacy.

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a party membership in itself cannot justify doubts about a person's constitutional loyalty.