Next week, the German parliament will debate a proposed ban on the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, a move initiated by a cross-party group citing the party’s increasing extremism and historical revisionism. The application, supported by 124 Bundestag members, must demonstrate the AfD’s aggressive opposition to the constitution to succeed. While some argue a ban would only bolster the AfD’s image, others believe the Constitutional Court should determine the party’s fate. The debate comes as the AfD currently enjoys strong poll numbers.
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An exposé by Correctiv revealed a clandestine meeting in Switzerland between members of the German AfD party and Swiss neo-Nazi groups Junge Tat and Blood & Honour. The event, attended by AfD politicians Roger Beckamp and Lena Kotré, featured discussions about “remigration” and showcased the close ties between the AfD and extremist groups. Security measures, including ID checks and undisclosed locations, suggest the meeting was not as open as claimed by Beckamp. The neo-Nazi groups subsequently publicized the event online, further fueling calls for a ban on the AfD.
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The suspected attacker of the Christmas market, identified as a Saudi Arabian national, presents a complex and unsettling case. His anti-Islam activism, openly expressed on social media, throws a significant wrench into initial assumptions. This seemingly contradicts the typical profile of a Christmas market attacker, and adds layers of unexpected nuance to the already tragic event.
The man’s outspoken opposition to Islam, coupled with his stated grievances against the German government’s perceived pro-Islam stance and alleged persecution of Saudi refugees, suggests a motive far removed from traditional Islamist terrorism. Instead of targeting a Christmas market for religious reasons, as many initially suspected, his actions appear driven by a different type of extremism entirely.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood