A leaked internal memo has revealed that German Federal Police officers who join or actively support the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party could face severe disciplinary actions, including dismissal.
The directive, issued by Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser of the Social Democrats (SPD), warns officers against affiliating with the AfD, which has been classified as a “right-wing extremist” organization in certain German states.
The federal police, comprising 54,000 employees—45,000 of whom are officers—now face strict scrutiny regarding political affiliations. While many police officers are members of political parties, such as CDU-aligned Federal Police President Dieter Romann, the memo singles out the AfD, sparking debates over impartiality.
The memo explicitly states, “If membership in such a party becomes known, there are sufficient actual indications that justify the suspicion of a disciplinary offense, at least if the officer is actively involved in such a party.” It warns that disciplinary measures could escalate to outright dismissal, with the phrase “disciplinary consequences up to and including dismissal” emphasized in bold.
An anonymous police source shared concerns with the German newspaper Junge Freiheit, stating, “This feels like a significant restriction on my ability to form my own political opinions. Treating involvement with a party supported by over a fifth of the population as a criminal offense undermines basic civil servant rights—even when considering the obligation of neutrality.”
The memo, titled “Candidacy for a Confirmed Right-Wing Extremist Party? Not a Good Idea as a Federal Civil Servant!”, extends beyond the police force to include other civil service roles. It specifies that dismissal isn’t limited to running for office but applies to any behavior perceived as endorsing the party’s political content, labeling such actions as “activism.”
The document argues that allowing public servants aligned with the AfD or similar groups to retain their positions jeopardizes Germany’s constitutional democracy. It emphasizes, “The free democratic basic order is endangered if the constitutional state remains inactive and allows officials who question the constitutional order to perform state duties.”
The decree, which dates back to Aug. 29, 2024, mandates disciplinary proceedings against federal employees associated with the AfD or related groups like the youth wing Young Alternative and other right-wing organizations, such as the Free Saxons. To support these measures, Police Service Regulation 100, which outlines leadership and deployment guidelines, has been revised.
These revelations come as the AfD experiences a surge in popularity, with polls predicting the party will secure 22% of the vote in Germany’s Feb. 23 federal elections, positioning it as the second-largest party in the Bundestag. The memo highlights the growing tension between the government and the rising influence of the far-right party, fueling an already contentious debate over political neutrality and democratic rights.
