German prosecutors have brought charges against the leader of the AfD in Thuringian, Björn Höcke, over the use of the phrase “Everything for Germany!” in a speech to supporters in November 2021.
A leading figure on the Right of the German nationalist party, Höcke fell afoul of stringent government regulations prohibiting the glorification of the Nazi regime with the slogan previously used by the German SA.
The charges had been pending for some time. Prosecution against the populist politician had been greenlighted by a regional Justice Committee back in April. Prosecutors had targeted Höcke multiple times before on the grounds of inciting hatred. This week’s charges, brought after a complaint filed by regional Green politician Sebastian Striegel, are only the latest.
The AfD reached record polling levels this month despite intense state harassment. Höcke himself is seen as an instrumental figure with a hardline nationalist tendency in the party simply known as “Der Flügel” (The Wing). Prosecutors claim that Höcke was fully aware of the historical context of the phrase, which he used even having already had his parliamentary immunity waived.
In Germany, the glorification of Nazism and dissemination of Nazi propaganda is strictly prohibited by section 86 in the German Criminal Code. Offenders face hefty fines and imprisonment for up to three years. Höcke has been accused of extremist sympathies before this most recent antic, and was heavily criticised in 2017 for comments about Germany’s Holocaust guilt.
AfD politicians have rallied to Höcke’s side. Deputy state spokesman for the AfD in North Rhine-Westphalia Matthias Helferich called the charges “cheap” and an attempt by the state to undermine the party.
Despite a surge in public support, the AfD has come under growing pressure from authorities—the most notorious evident in the mass arrests in the aftermath of an alleged coup attempt by individuals attached to the party, leading to claims of dirty tricks by German intelligence services. German authorities listed the party’s youth wing as an extremist organisation last month, making accusations of growing radicalism in the party’s ranks.
A worsening cost of living crisis in Germany as well as increased immigration has been linked with a rise in the popularity of the AfD, also capturing public unrest over Germany’s commitment to the Ukrainian cause.
The AfD’s ascendancy is particularly acute in East Germany. According to party chairwoman Alice Weidel, the AfD has been poised to take over regional governance since earlier this year.
