Prominent German right-wing figure, Björn Höcke, is currently in court facing charges linked to the use of a Nazi slogan during public orations. The case debuted ahead of upcoming state elections in three territories, one of which being Thuringia – an area where Höcke leads the popular Alternative für Deutschland (AfD).
The controversy pivots around Höcke’s utterance of the phrase “Alles für Deutschland” translating to ‘everything for Germany’, first in a speech given in May 2021 and later in December 2023. This saying was originally voiced by the SA, Hitler’s National Socialist party’s militarised limb. Usage of Nazi rallying cries, symbols or the infamous Führer salute are proscribed in post-war Germany.
Despite this, Höcke argues the motto is commonplace and declared that even Deutsche Telekom, a key German telecommunication company, had employed it. This claim was promptly refuted by the company, leading to legal action.
The AfD perceive the court case as politically motivated and an incursion on free speech. Höcke recently shared on Twitter/X a screenshot of the same contentious slogan featuring in a Der Spiegel headline from 2023, remarking that the writer faced no legal repercussion.
In a widely viewed post, Höcke tempted Elon Musk, Twitter/X owner, to Halle to bear witness to Germany’s ‘persecution of political adversaries and suppression of freedom of speech’. Musk replied with surprise, triggering a negative reaction from German followers.
A strong supporter base for the AfD in eastern states – between 25-34 per cent according to polling data – could potentially dramatise the ongoing legal proceedings into a ideological conflict involving the party in its entirety, unsettling the political equilibrium. (There are forthcoming local and European elections along with state parliamentary elections.)
With a verdict anticipated in mid-May, the potential sanctions for Höcke could entail either up to three-year imprisonment or a monetary penalty. Even a relatively mild six-month conviction could result in Höcke’s disqualification from any public role, as stated by court representatives. This may necessitate that Thuringia’s AfD source a replacement leader for the imminent state vote on 1st of September.
About 250 demonstrators congregated near the courthouse under the surveillance of law enforcement. One faction waved a sign expressing “Höcke is a Nazi” and voiced the chant “The whole of Halle despises the AfD.”