The state is putting pressure on the AfD. This became abundantly clear last week, full of investigations and searches against the party’s politicians and those around them, as well as a conviction against Thuringian State President Björn Höcke for “using symbols of unconstitutional and terrorist organizations.” When it comes to dealing with the major opposition party, the Federal Republic’s judiciary shows a level of diligence that one can only dream of in other, less political areas. During the rule of law in clan crime and multi-criminal gang wars
While domestic violence, sexual crimes and Islamists often have their hands tied, we see German judges and investigative authorities being completely let loose in the fight against the ‘enemies of the state’ and ‘traitors’ of the AfD.
The left-wing newspaper defends Höcke
The whole thing has now reached a level that makes even staunch opponents of the Alternative for Germany sick to their stomachs. Even the left has that these days taz criticized the verdict against Höcke in its online edition and asked its readers in an article – under the headline ‘When in doubt against the accused’ – ‘Did you know that ‘Everything for Germany’ is a banned slogan of National Socialism? This provided the answer daily newspaperthat they are not exactly known for giving right-wing parties ‘the benefit of the doubt’, was immediately followed by: ‘Probably 99.9 percent of Germans didn’t know that until recently.’
What do colleagues from the taz with this assessment – and that some apparently still do not know that the slogan is ‘full of Nazis’ and is therefore prohibited, as became apparent this week in an internet post by ex-player’s wife and stand decorator Cathy Hummels. The former wife of central defender Mats Hummels, who was recently removed from the German national team, posted a photo of a football on Instagram as part of an advertising campaign for the European Championship and wrote underneath it: “It will be a fantastic experience. Everything for Germany!”
In other words: exactly the punishment for which Höcke was recently sentenced to a fine of 13,000 euros in total. After being informed of the sensational conviction of the AfD politician in a shitstorm, the influencer immediately deleted the post. In addition, the presenter apologized in an interview with television channel RTL and naturally distanced herself. Something about the statement itself, but especially about the evil blue party. “Ashes over my head. I didn’t hear the news coverage of the Höcke trial and his Nazi slogan and didn’t know what his background was. I immediately deleted it and expressly distance myself from right-wing radical slogans and parties such as the AfD,” the former footballer told the private broadcaster.
Höcke reports Hummels
Höcke had also argued in court that he did not know the origin and background of the slogan ‘Everything for Germany’. The Public Prosecution Service and the judge did not want to believe him. The former defendant now wants, as he announced in a note on X, to file a complaint against Cathy Hummels, who was allegedly just as ignorant. Not because he has anything against them, as he emphasizes, “but to make the absurdity of the verdict against me clearer,” Höcke said.
Dear Mrs. Hummels, unfortunately I have to report you to Public Prosecutor Brenzler in Halle. Not because I have anything against you, but to make clearer the absurdity of the judgment against me. pic.twitter.com/PAfxGMrMyn
— Björn Höcke (@BjoernHoecke) May 17, 2024
The Public Prosecution Service or the court will soon have to decide whether Cathy Hummels is more likely to be believed than Björn Höcke. This decision can certainly be difficult. It will show not only whether all people are truly equal before the German judiciary, but also, if you like, whether the state assumes that a woman is fundamentally as smart as a man – or at least whether the German judiciary power a ‘normal’ citizen” – and therefore the people in whose name he makes his judgment – is just as intellectually sound as a politician or finds him fundamentally inferior.