AfD Accuses Brandenburg Coalition of Exclusion in Parliamentary Committee Appointments
Brandenburg, Germany – The Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party in the Brandenburg state parliament has alleged exclusion in the appointment of certain positions, particularly in the Parliamentary Control Commission, which oversees the state’s Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Verfassungsschutz).
Allegations of Exclusion
AfD faction leader Hans-Christoph Berndt accused the coalition factions of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Brandenburg United Left/Free Voters (BSW) of deliberately excluding the AfD from the Parliamentary Control Commission. Under the coalition’s proposal, the commission would be reduced from five to three members, with two from the coalition and one from the opposition. In the previous parliamentary term, the commission had five members representing the SPD, CDU, Left Party, Greens, and BVB/Freie Wähler, but not the AfD.
Berndt argued that the reduction in commission members was a continuation of the AfD’s exclusion and a violation of the state constitution, which requires adequate representation of the opposition in the commission. The SPD, however, dismissed the accusations, stating that all factions had the opportunity to submit nominations and that decisions were made by the full parliament.
AfD’s Concerns About the Verfassungsschutz
The AfD’s exclusion from the Parliamentary Control Commission is particularly contentious given the party’s classification by the Verfassungsschutz as a "suspected right-wing extremist organization." Several AfD members of the state parliament have also been labeled as right-wing extremists. The AfD has expressed opposition to the Verfassungsschutz in its current form, accusing it of political bias.
Berndt suggested that the exclusion of the AfD from the commission was likely intended to prevent the party from influencing the oversight of the Verfassungsschutz. He also noted that the AfD’s 30 members of parliament were disproportionately represented compared to the CDU’s 12, despite the AfD having more than two and a half times the number of deputies.
Controversy over Spitzenposten Appointments
The appointment of AfD members to top positions in parliamentary committees has been a source of controversy. The chairmanship of the Education Committee remains vacant after the AfD’s nominee, Dominik Kaufner, failed to secure a majority in the election. The AfD’s attempt to nominate Berndt for vice-chair of the Main Committee was also unsuccessful, reportedly due to the absence of a decision from the parliament’s Presidium.
Despite the setbacks, the AfD does hold some leadership positions in parliamentary committees. Out of the 13 policy-oriented committees, the AfD chairs five and provides two deputy chairs.
Ongoing Tensions
The conflict over the Parliamentary Control Commission and other committee appointments reflects the ongoing tensions between the AfD and the other parliamentary parties. The AfD’s exclusion from key positions and its designation as a suspected extremist organization have created a divisive atmosphere in the Brandenburg state parliament.
The situation highlights the challenges faced by democratic institutions in balancing the need for robust oversight and accountability with concerns about the potential influence of extremist groups within the political process.
