Thomas Haldenwang, president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), defended his agency against criticism, stating that the work of the BfV has been called into question, with some referring to it as a “government protection” agency. However, Haldenwang emphasized that democracy is what needs protection, as it is currently facing unprecedented threats. He acknowledged that freedom of speech is important in Germany but also stressed that there are limits to it, particularly in terms of criminal law.
Haldenwang highlighted that the constitutional relevance of expressions of opinion is not determined solely by whether they are illegal or criminal. The BfV can also take into account the content of statements if they are indicative of attempts to undermine the democratic order. The president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution stressed that attacks on components of the democratic order, such as violations of human dignity or the escalation of democratic protests into calls for violence, are considered contrary to the fundamental democratic principles.
The former president of the BfV, Hans-Georg Maaßen, who is now the chairman of the new right-conservative party Werteunion, recently announced that he is suing the BfV for monitoring him. It was revealed in January that the BfV had information about him in its system on right-wing extremism. Maaßen accuses Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser of using the BfV to monitor government opponents. Haldenwang did not directly refer to Maaßen in his statements, but he emphasized that freedom of speech is not a shield to evade surveillance if there are indications of actions aimed against the democratic system.
In response to accusations that the BfV is too present in the media, Haldenwang clarified that the agency is politically neutral but not indifferent to those who pose a threat to democracy. He emphasized that the BfV has a legal mandate to inform the public about extremist activities and dangers to democracy in order to facilitate informed political discussions. Haldenwang also noted that the current threats to democracy in Germany are unprecedented in the post-war history of the country, and it is essential to address and counter these threats effectively.
The president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution stressed the importance of upholding the principles of democracy and protecting it from those seeking to undermine it. He emphasized the need for informed discourse and vigilance to address extremist threats. Haldenwang’s comments come in the context of ongoing debates about the role of the BfV and the challenges facing democracy in Germany. The discussion highlights the importance of balancing freedom of speech with the protection of democratic values and institutions.
