Hannover reviews AfD candidate's loyalty to constitution

The election authorities in Hannover have initiated a review into the constitutional loyalty of Jessica Schülke, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) candidate for mayor. This move comes ahead of the municipal election and follows a request for verification from the local supervisory authority.

The decision to scrutinize Schülke's commitment to the constitution was based on two key factors, according to the city's election office. Firstly, the AfD's Lower Saxony branch has been classified as a significant observation subject by the state's domestic intelligence agency, a designation the party is legally contesting. Secondly, Schülke, as a member of the state parliament, is considered a leading figure within the party, actively shaping its policies and program.

The election committee is expected to receive the findings from the supervisory authority before its meeting on July 23, which will then decide on the admissibility of election proposals. While the committee is not bound by the supervisory authority's recommendation, the review process highlights concerns surrounding the AfD's alignment with democratic constitutional principles.

Schülke has strongly condemned the review, calling it an "outrageous procedure." She issued a statement asserting her unwavering commitment to the free democratic basic order as enshrined in Germany's Basic Law. "Loyalty to the free democratic basic order, as it stands in our Basic Law, is a self-evident, non-negotiable foundation of my political work. And that applies equally to my party," she stated, emphatically rejecting any doubts about her allegiance.