A mock trial staged at Hamburg’s Thalia Theater concluded with a divided verdict on whether to ban the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, mirroring the complex political debate gripping the nation. Seven “jurors” – selected for the theatrical process – voted 2-3 against a ban, while simultaneously voting 5-2 in favor of initiating a formal ban procedure, according to reports from the event.
The three-day event, dubbed “The Process Against Germany,” featured former Federal Minister of Justice Herta Däubler-Gmelin (SPD) presiding over the proceedings. Rather than actors, the “court” heard from individuals, experts, and witnesses, including journalist and Bild columnist Harald Martenstein, who argued against a prohibition of the AfD.
Martenstein, 72, reportedly delivered a passionate plea against a ban, asserting that such a move would effectively disenfranchise a significant portion of the electorate. He argued that prohibiting a party supported by 20 percent of voters in the West and 35 to 40 percent in the East would represent “the end of democracy and its replacement by something else,” as documented by Bild.
The “prosecution,” represented by Hamburg-based lawyer Gabriele Heinecke, contended that the AfD poses a threat to a substantial segment of the German population. The theatrical verdict also included a call for the immediate cessation of all state funding to the AfD while a formal ban procedure is underway.
The event took place against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny of the AfD, with ongoing debate about whether its policies and rhetoric violate Germany’s constitutional principles. Martenstein’s participation and arguments have drawn attention, with his remarks being widely reported in German media, including Bild and Nordkurier. A video of Martenstein’s full remarks at the Thalia Theater has also been published online, according to Bild.
The outcome of the theatrical trial does not carry legal weight, but it reflects the deep divisions within German society regarding the AfD and the appropriate response to its growing influence. No immediate steps have been announced regarding the initiation of a formal ban procedure following the theatrical verdict.