Plenary Student Assembly calls on Leipzig University to consistently defend against right-wing extremism

The student plenary assembly has called on Leipzig University to consistently defend itself against the rise of right-wing extremism. "We believe that the university has a responsibility to protect students and staff from right-wing violence, discrimination and unequal treatment," said the body in a resolution in light of the rise of the AfD in recent years and most recently during the state elections.

The university should exclude any form of cooperation with members of the AfD or other right-wing extremist groups and expressly distance itself from student associations that exhibit right-wing extremist tendencies, according to one of the demands. Among other things, the AfD would prefer to cut Bafög rates and introduce higher fees for foreign students, explained the left-wing university group Studis gegen Rechts.

The rectorate is also being called upon to strengthen student committees and to campaign for a parent-independent basic income, capped health insurance contributions and equal rights for foreign students. The student body also advocates protecting spaces for critical student education and discourse, as well as allowing controversial social issues the space for discussion and protest. The police and military should be excluded from events and the university should restrict its research to civilian purposes and disclose third-party funding.

The demands adopted by the plenary assembly are of a recommendatory nature for the Student Council (StuRa) and the student committees and will be passed on to the Rectorate. The plenary assembly was convened by the university group Studis gegen Rechts and the university's student council. According to the information, Leipzig University has around 32,000 students.