In Essen, the AfD wants to terminate the lease for the Grugahalle for its party conference

Berlin/Essen. A few weeks before the AfD’s planned federal party conference in Essen, there is a risk of a legal dispute between the party and the city over the location. On Tuesday, the AfD’s federal executive committee rejected the city of Essen’s demand to provide a “written voluntary undertaking with a penalty clause” as part of the lease agreement for the rented Grugahalle. The party must ensure that it will not use punishable statements such as the SA slogan “Everything for Germany” during the party congress on June 29 and 30. Violations can result in a fine of 500,000 euros.

“In a letter today, the AfD Federal Directorate rejected Messe Essen GmbH’s demands for a contract adjustment,” the AfD said in a statement on Tuesday evening. Essen had demanded that the AfD submit the required statement by Tuesday. Shortly before the deadline, a city spokeswoman announced that the lease for the Grugahalle would be terminated if the AfD did not make the statement. The municipal council adopted this by a large majority.

The AfD wants to take legal action against the termination

The AfD threatened legal action: If “the city and the trade fair continue to behave in a manner inconsistent with the law, we will immediately seek urgent legal protection,” Federal Vice President Peter Boehringer said. A legally valid contract cannot subsequently be changed unilaterally in a constitutional state, according to Roman Reusch, member of the Federal Board of Governors. Because there is a risk of dismissal “if we do not submit to this coercive behavior”, criminal charges have already been filed with the Essen Public Prosecutor’s Office against, among others, the mayor of Essen, Thomas Kufen.

The focus of the AfD party conference at the end of June is on the election of a new board. Co-party leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla want to run for office again after two years as president. There are no opposing candidates yet. Numerous organizations have announced their opposition to the meeting. A left-wing alliance plans to prevent AfD deputies from entering the Grugahalle.

RND/dpa