Rhineland-Palatinate: AfD applicants in civil service – individual case review started!

Rhineland-Palatinate: AfD applicants in civil service – individual case review started!

In the future, Rhineland-Palatinate is planning a differentiated review of whether members of the AfD will be accepted into civil service. Interior Minister Michael Ebling (SPD) defended this approach and thereby pointed out the federal states' obligation to take their own steps. This is happening in a context in which a previous announcement by the Interior Ministry that it would generally no longer employ AfD members caused confusion. Ebling admits that the state's communications policy has created confusion about the new regulations and announces that the state will not introduce blanket bans for AfD applicants, which should defuse criticism of the measure somewhat.

The new administrative regulations in Rhineland-Palatinate now provide for a case-by-case assessment. Future applicants must certify that they do not belong to any extremist organization. Ebling emphasizes that membership in the AfD can be seen as an indication of a lack of loyalty to the constitution. Doubts about the constitutionality of applicants are considered problematic, which has also been criticized by various constitutional lawyers who classify the blanket approach as illegal.

Nationwide approach and work of the interior ministers

At the federal level, the federal and state interior ministers have agreed to form a working group to develop a uniform approach. This group will deal with topics such as service law, gun ownership and security checks, with the classification of the AfD by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution playing a central role. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt noted that a possible classification of the AfD as right-wing extremist is being considered. However, there is no provision for a general exclusion from employment due to party membership; instead, a detailed individual assessment should take place.

A rigorous examination of members is already being carried out in several federal states, including Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. Saxony has classified the AfD as right-wing extremist, which raises relevant doubts about its loyalty to the constitution. In Schleswig-Holstein, a standard query to the Office for the Protection of the Constitution is being introduced before hiring, while Brandenburg has been practicing similar measures since last year. Lower Saxony is also considering introducing a questionnaire about membership in extremist organizations. Interestingly, it is emphasized that membership in the AfD does not automatically lead to rejection; Rather, each individual case is examined in detail.

In conclusion, it can be said that the discussion about the loyalty of AfD members to the constitution in the civil service is becoming increasingly important not only in Rhineland-Palatinate, but also nationwide. The challenges associated with membership of a party classified as extremist raise fundamental questions about the integrity of the public service.

World and Time report on developments in this sensitive area of ​​political discussion.