Interior Committee discusses police operation at AfD party conference

The assessments of the police operation at the AfD federal party conference in Riesa in mid-January differ widely. Following a special session requested by the AfD, several parliamentary groups came forward with differing assessments. The Left Party called for further clarification. The AfD saw left-wing extremism played down, while the CDU thanked the police in particular.

Left parties want further clarification

"We were comprehensively informed today, but it is still too early to take stock," explained Left Party politician Rico Gebhardt. There was no reasonable explanation as to how and why the police assault on Left Party MP Nam Duy Nguyen took place. "It was good that there was self-criticism. That was not a matter of course until now (...). I therefore expect transparent clarification beyond today's date."

CDU praises the police

The CDU parliamentary group referred to the difficulties of the operation, during which the police had to keep an eye on counter-demonstrations with at least 10,000 participants. "It is primarily thanks to the level-headed and consistent actions of the emergency services that both the right to hold a party conference and the right to freedom of assembly could be exercised in Riesa," emphasized CDU interior politician Ronny Wähner.

AfD sees left-wing extremism downplayed

AfD politician Carsten Hütter accused Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU), his predecessors and colleagues from other federal states of having neglected the fight against organized left-wing extremism for years. The result is a well-organized scene that "is now even capable of paralyzing entire cities and massively impairing the basic freedoms of all other citizens".

BSW assumes political instrumentalization

The Sahra Wagenknecht alliance lashed out against the Left and AfD. Both had attempted to "politically instrumentalize alleged or actual operational shortcomings", criticised Bernd Rudolph, domestic policy spokesperson for the BSW parliamentary group. They appear to be more concerned with "party political settlements than real clarification". The BSW stands for a thorough and transparent analysis, which is the only way to avoid mistakes in the future.

Left parties submit major inquiry into police operation

The Left parties are now attempting to shed light on the events with a major inquiry in the state parliament. "We are submitting a detailed catalog with a total of 161 questions to the state government. They range from the preparation of the large-scale operation to the costs," emphasized Gebhardt.

According to the organizers, around 15,000 people demonstrated against the AfD federal party conference in Riesa on 11 January. The police estimated the number of participants at 10,000. The party conference was only able to begin two hours late at midday. According to the Left Party, its member of the Saxon state parliament Nam Duy Nguyen was knocked unconscious by a police officer. The Left was not the only party to demand clarification.