Germany: AfD excludes all journalists from election celebrations in Thuringia

There will be no journalists at the AfD election celebration after the elections in Thuringia. Previously, several media complained to the court that they did not receive accreditation. The court decided that it was discrimination, so AfD has now canceled everyone

3471 views 7 comment(s)
From the AfD election rally in Thuringia, Photo: Reuters
From the AfD election rally in Thuringia, Photo: Reuters
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

At the AfD election celebration after the regional elections in Thuringia, Germany, there will be no journalists at all. This was confirmed by Torben Braga, deputy spokesman of the AfD provincial branch.

Journalists can interview representatives of the AfD on Sunday evening in the provincial parliament in Thuringia.

The court decided - to provide equal access to all journalists

According to its own statements, the party decided to exclude all journalists - as a result of the verdict of the provincial court in Erfurt. The court decided that the AfD must provide all journalists with equal access to the party celebration after the provincial elections.

Previously, Spiegel, Bild, Welt, and Tageskeitung (taz) appealed to the court to challenge the decision to exclude their journalists from the AfD celebration. Because the AfD gave accreditation to some journalists, while other media outlets were rejected.

AfD: There is no room for everyone

According to information from the AfD, requests for accreditation were received from 150 journalists. In addition, another 150 guests should be accommodated. However, the party stated that there is not enough space in the respective bar. AfD is keeping the location of the celebration a secret, for security reasons.

Central election celebrations of political parties on election day are traditionally important events for journalists. At them, the mood regarding the election results is monitored, interviews are conducted - many well-known representatives of the party are often present at them.

According to public opinion polls, the AfD could win about 30 percent of the vote in today's elections and thus become the strongest party in that province. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution of Thuringia classified the AfD in that province in March 2021 as a "proven right-wing extremist" party.

This is not the first time

The AfD also points out that 50 media representatives had already received a positive answer, i.e. accreditation, after being previously invited. The court considers it discrimination against some media representatives. AfD spokesman Braga justified the invitation of elected media representatives by saying that they continuously report on provincial politics in Thuringia and the AfD there.

A similar thing happened last year. The AfD tried to prevent the team of the "Monitor" magazine, of the public broadcaster ARD, from reporting on the party's congress in Thuringia. The court ruled in favor of the journalist.

Bonus video: