AfD’s Bid to Reinstall Dominik Kaufner as Committee Chair Fails, Raising Concerns over Extremism
Background:
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Brandenburg has faced a setback in its attempt to install its candidate, Dominik Kaufner, as the chairman of the Education Committee in the state parliament. Kaufner, who had previously failed to secure the position, has been deemed unsuitable for the role by the majority of the parliament due to his alleged ties to right-wing extremism.
Rejection and Protests:
The parliamentary presidium has denied AfD’s request for further rounds of voting for Kaufner, effectively preventing his election. Annemarie Wolff, the deputy head of the Education Committee, stated that without the possibility of additional elections, Kaufner could not be put forth for selection. Despite this, the AfD maintains its right to propose a candidate for the chairmanship.
Volker Nothing, an AfD member of parliament, denounced the decision as "unfounded arbitrariness" and declared that the party would not propose an alternative candidate. He emphasized their continued support for Kaufner, seeing no reason why he should not lead the committee. Kaufner himself labeled the situation as an "orchestrated campaign."
In January, Kaufner had failed to secure the chairmanship in a secret ballot, with the Social Democrats (SPD) and Christian Democrats (CDU) expressing their reservations about his suitability. They have accused him of proximity to right-wing extremist circles, citing his association with the now-dissolved Institute for State Policy, which has been classified as a right-wing extremist organization by the domestic intelligence service.
SPD education policy spokesperson Katja Poschmann criticized the AfD’s insistence on Kaufner, stating that he had "been denied trust three times." Notably, the AfD is currently classified as a right-wing extremist suspect by the Brandenburg domestic intelligence agency.
Public Protests and Police Intervention:
In response to Kaufner’s candidacy, around 400 people gathered in January to protest against his election as committee chair. The demonstration was organized by a coalition of students, youth organizations, and teachers’ associations.
During the protest, Kaufner attempted to approach participants with a camera and microphone to question them. However, the police intervened and prevented him from doing so.
Role of a Committee Chair:
The chairman of a committee is responsible for leading its meetings and acting as its representative. In the previous parliamentary session, the chairmanship of the Science Committee was left vacant due to a dispute over a potential AfD appointment.
Concerns and Implications:
The ongoing controversy surrounding Kaufner’s candidacy for the Education Committee highlights concerns about the presence and influence of right-wing extremism within the AfD. The party’s insistence on appointing him despite the objections of other parliamentary factions raises questions about its commitment to democratic values and its suitability to hold positions of authority in institutions such as education.
The protests against Kaufner’s candidacy demonstrate the public’s rejection of extremist ideologies and their determination to safeguard democratic principles in education. The situation underscores the importance of vigilance against the spread of extremism and the need for institutions to take a strong stance against those who promote such ideologies.
