Germans reject a ban on the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) by a majority of 52% to 27% in favour, according to a new representative survey published by the Allensbach Institute polling organization on Saturday, reported dpa.
The proportion opposed to a ban rises to 65% in the east of the country, according to the poll published by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung daily newspaper, while it falls to 49% in the western states. The AfD enjoys widespread support in the formerly communist eastern states.
The pollsters found a range of reasons for rejecting a ban on the party, which is monitored as a far-right extremist organization by the domestic intelligence agencies.
The main reason was that respondents were familiar with AfD supporters, with 67% of west Germans and 88% of east Germans having AfD supporters in their circle of acquaintances. These acquaintances were seen in a much more sympathetic light than the party itself.
Another prominent reason for rejecting a ban is that many respondents believe that parties backing a ban merely want to be rid of a difficult competitor in the political landscape.
Calls for ban proceedings to be launched rose after the federal domestic intelligence agency rated the party "confirmed far-right extremist" allowing the agency greater leeway in monitoring the AfD.
The rating has been suspended while the AfD challenges the decision in the courts. Germany's Constitutional Court is the ultimate arbiter in any ban. An application for a ban has to be made by the federal government or either house of parliament.
The AfD, known for its anti-immigration, anti-Muslim, eurosceptic and nationalist rhetoric, has been a flashpoint in German politics for more than a decade.
In recent years, the party has gained ground by capitalizing on economic discontent and growing public unease over immigration. It is now Germany's largest opposition party.
- Germans
- Reject ban
- AfD
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
