CDU MP Weißkopf skeptical after hearing on AfD ban proceedings

After the hearing on a possible AfD ban procedure, the lawyer and CDU MP Wolfgang Weißkopf appeared thoughtful but still skeptical. “My focus at the end is and remains: How high are the chances of success and how high are they not,” said Weißkopf to the German Press Agency in Erfurt. He initially viewed the hearing with skepticism, but is now positively surprised - "also by the depth of the hearing," he said.

Weißkopf announced that he wanted to delve more intensively into individual aspects - for example with the arguments of Kyrill-Alexander Schwarz, professor of public law at the University of Würzburg.

Skepticism has not disappeared

He was of the opinion that an important criterion had been met for an AfD ban procedure - the threat to the existence of the Federal Republic. He justified this with demands from the AfD to leave the EU and at least parts of the party to leave NATO. The AfD also maintains close ties to systems like the one in Russia. According to Schwarz, neither the size of the AfD nor the possible duration of the proceedings before the Federal Constitutional Court speak against a ban.

Weißkopf said the CDU parliamentary group would continue to think about it after the hearing; this is an open process. “Of course we were skeptical in general and the skepticism hasn’t gone away.” You have to make sure whether the conditions for a ban on the AfD are met or not. “And if they are available, then the CDU will not oppose them. But this needs to be examined carefully.”