Summary
Germany’s parliament will debate a proposed ban on the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) for the first time next week.
The proposal cites the AfD’s increasing radicalism and historically revisionist statements, such as co-leader Alice Weidel’s claim that Hitler was a communist.
Under Germany’s constitution, a party ban requires proof of opposition to constitutional principles.
Critics warn that a ban could portray the AfD as martyrs.
The AfD currently polls in second place at 20% ahead of February elections.
So? Martyr the shit out of them.
Martyrdom is massively overrated in Western discourse - usually a crackdown just works. Probably exactly because it’s a great excuse not to do scary but necessary things, which is something we’ve grown unused to.
In good ol’ days, people had to die first to become martyrs.
Hmm, worth thinking about.