MOSCOW, February 12. /TASS/. Bundestag lawmaker Rainer Rothfuss from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party told TASS that the country's ruling parties are arranging and sponsoring mass protests against the opposition ahead of the elections.
"The ongoing protests across Germany, including in Munich, are, of course, organized by entities related to the government. In other words, the ruling parties are directly aiding and organizing these demonstrations, utilizing various resources, including official appeals and even utilizing staff members. It is ironic that in Germany, the ruling parties are orchestrating protests against the opposition - something that typically occurs only in dictatorships," the MP stated.
Germany has turned into a "semi-authoritarian democracy" where citizens are "intimidated to produce protests" through the influence of powerful institutions, according to Rothfuss. He claims that certain large organizations "openly threaten to fire employees who are actively involved in AfD activities."
"These are undeniably troubling trends in a country that was once a beacon of freedom. It’s clear that urgent reform is needed in the next elections. Voters must send a strong message that they will not tolerate the restriction of their rights to free access to information, the free formation of opinions, and the free expression of their views. This trend must be halted and reversed," Rothfuss stated.
Protests in Germany
Late last week, large-scale protests broke out across Germany against right-wing parties, with the largest demonstrations occurring in Munich, Bavaria, where over 200,000 people gathered. Other significant rallies were held in the federal states of Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Lower Saxony, and in the cities of Hamburg and Bremen.
One more week earlier, on February 2, Germany saw mass protests against the proposals of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its leader Friedrich Merz on toughening migration policy and cooperation with the AfD. According to the police, about 160,000 people took part in the protests in Berlin.
Vote in the Bundestag
On January 29, the Bundestag adopted a resolution proposed by the CDU/CSU faction regarding tougher migration policy, with support from the Alternative for Germany party. The bloc prepared two resolutions. The first, a five-point plan aimed at ensuring long-term control at borders and consistent deportation of individuals who are required to leave the country, was approved by 348 MPs, with 345 opposing it and 10 abstaining from voting. This document is of a suggestive nature. The second resolution, which sought to expand the powers of law enforcement agencies, was rejected.
On January 31, the German parliament rejected the CDU/CSU bill aimed at tightening migration policy, which would have been mandatory if approved. Since then, protests against the AfD's election measures and the CDU's migration proposals have intensified.