A German court recently overturned a ban on the far-right magazine Compact, originally imposed by the previous government. This ruling determined that the legal grounds for the ban were insufficient, as the case against Compact, edited by far-right figure Jürgen Elsässer, did not meet the legal threshold necessary for such a prohibition. The former Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, cited the magazine’s role as a “central mouthpiece of the right-wing extremist scene” and accused it of inciting hatred against minorities, including Jews and migrants. She emphasized that Germany’s constitutional values protect all individuals, regardless of ethnicity.
Following the ban, Compact appealed to the Federal Administrative Court, which temporarily suspended the prohibition pending a thorough review. The court underscored the importance of press freedom, stating that restrictions are only justified if anti-constitutional activities are proven to be significant. The review revealed that the content of Compact did not meet this standard for a ban. Previously, the magazine had been labeled as extremist and anti-minority by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in 2021, yet it remained widely available to the public.
Compact magazine, established in 2010, boasts a circulation of approximately 40,000, though it has a significantly larger online presence. Jürgen Elsässer, who has expressed support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, described the ban as an infringement on press freedom. This legal victory for Compact underscores a broader trend of resurgence for far-right groups in Germany, which has been mirrored by recent developments related to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
The AfD party, known for its anti-immigration stance, recently had its extremist classification suspended by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, following a lawsuit it filed. The classification would have subjected the party to increased scrutiny and monitoring. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution indicated it would hold off on further actions until a court ruling is obtained. The AfD has seen a significant increase in support, securing 20.8% of the vote in Germany’s snap federal election earlier this year, which marked the best performance for a far-right party since World War II.
This trend of growing support for the far right in Germany raises significant concerns about the nation’s political landscape and societal fabric. The legal battles surrounding the Compact magazine and AfD reflect ongoing tensions between free expression and the regulation of extremist ideologies. As the far right gains traction, the challenge for the German government lies in addressing these movements while upholding democratic values and protections for all citizens.
The overturning of the ban on Compact and the political victories of far-right groups signal a complex and evolving narrative in Germany, where historical lessons from the past continue to shape contemporary discussions about identity, belonging, and the boundaries of free speech. This situation highlights the delicate balance that must be struck between protecting democracy and allowing for a diversity of voices, even those that may be controversial or extreme.
