Public threats of sanctions against AfD government are 'best election advertising,' says commentator

German officials are reportedly speculating about how to discipline a potential Alternative for Germany (AfD) state government, a discussion the author argues is strategically misguided and reminiscent of lessons unlearned from Donald Trump's rise.

Concerns exist that an AfD government might disregard or attempt to subvert legal procedures. Baden-Württemberg's Finance Minister Danyal Bayaz suggested withholding funds from states led by the AfD if they pressure the judiciary, press, or educational institutions. This hypothetical scenario is based on the 'hermeneutics of suspicion,' as there are currently no concrete indications that the AfD intends to disregard democracy.

Further escalating the rhetoric, police union official Sven Hüber urged police officers not to cooperate with the AfD, indirectly equating the party with enemies of the constitution. Hüber's use of terms like 'seizure of power' and extensive discussion of the right to resist created an impression of relishing the prospect of confrontation, revealing more about his own authoritarian leanings than about the AfD itself.

The author contends that such public displays of potential disciplinary actions demonstrate a strategic blindness among many regarding the AfD. Instead of understanding the deeper reasons for the party's rise, officials are engaging in a public spectacle that could inadvertently serve as effective campaign material for the AfD. The article suggests that Germany should avoid being guided by such approaches, despite legitimate caution towards the right-wing populist party.