German Constitutional Court Bans Party “Die Heimat” from State Funding for Six Years
In a landmark ruling, Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court has announced the exclusion of the political party Die Heimat (formerly known as the National Democratic Party of Germany – NPD) from state financing for a period of six years. This decision, based on Article 21(3) of the German Basic Law, underscores the constitutional prohibition of state funding for parties that threaten the country’s democratic order.
The Court’s decision follows applications by the Bundestag, Bundesrat, and Federal Government, citing Die Heimat’s disregard for the liberal democratic order and its objectives and actions aimed at undermining or abolishing the existing constitutional structure.
The party, noted for its concept of an authoritarian state centered around an ethnic “national community”, fundamentally opposes the principles of democracy and human dignity for those outside its defined ethnic group. These characteristics, along with its organizational structure, participation in elections, activities, and connections with national and international right-wing extremists, led to the unanimous ruling by the Court.
“The exclusion of Die Heimat from state funding is a clear stance against extremism and the protection of our democratic values,” a court spokesperson said. “This decision reinforces the principle that parties with objectives or behaviors threatening our constitutional order are not entitled to public financing.”
Press Release
This ruling is significant in the context of rising concerns over right-wing extremism in Europe and the ongoing debate on the role of state funding in political processes. It represents a decisive step by the German judiciary in safeguarding the democratic framework against parties with anti-constitutional agendas.