Saxon state parliament passes law on constitutional compliance in the public sector

The Saxon state parliament passed a law on constitutional compliance in the public sector on Wednesday. Among other things, it provides for police officers and members of the judiciary to be checked with the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution before being appointed as civil servants. "Our liberal democracy needs the most committed democrats in state institutions. It must therefore not be a night watchman state when it comes to preserving the free democratic basic order," explained Green Party interior politician Valentin Lippmann. Above all, civil servants in leading positions and in particularly sensitive areas must be beyond any doubt with regard to their loyalty to the constitution.

"With this law, we want to strengthen those who stand up for our free democracy every day in the police and prison service and fill this constitutional state with life. We want to keep those out of the civil service who try to fight our democracy from the engine room or disparage it," said SPD interior expert Albrecht Pallas.

In addition, the law introduces mandatory identification for police officers in closed units. Lippmann commented: "It's a small badge on the uniform, but a big step for the transparency of police work in Saxony." This would protect the rights of citizens and at the same time protect police officers from blanket accusations and general suspicions. "Because if individual misconduct can be identified, it takes the pressure off other members of the force."