The government of Rheinland-Pfalz has announced a new policy that bans members of the AfD from working in the public service, emphasizing that loyalty to the constitution is a non-negotiable requirement.

Applicants for public service must now declare they are not, and have not been, members of extremist groups like the AfD in the past five years, with membership on a regularly updated list by the Verfassungsschutz.

Existing employees with memberships in extremist organizations could face disciplinary actions or removal, depending on individual cases, as the policy applies to current staff as well.

The Interior Minister, Michael Ebling, highlighted that the AfD no longer has a moderate wing and that increasing radicalization justifies stricter legal measures.

There is a broader effort to uphold democratic values by continuing measures like the 'Radikalenerlass' from the 1970s, which advocates for screening and excluding extremist elements.

Some critics argue that labeling the AfD as extremist while allowing its members in public roles undermines the integrity of the state, though proponents believe the state must defend its constitutional principles.

The AfD is listed on a regularly updated list of extremist organizations monitored by the Verfassungsschutz, which confirms the party’s growing radicalization in Rheinland-Pfalz.

This new regulation aims to exclude individuals with extremist affiliations from public service, aligning with ongoing debates about vetting political party members in Germany.

The AfD criticized these measures, claiming they are unconstitutional and amount to general suspicion against its members, framing the policy as an attack on political freedom.

AfD leaders, including Jan Bollinger, have vowed to challenge the government's decision legally, perceiving it as an attack on democracy and free expression.

Similar regulations are already in place in other German states like Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, where AfD membership must be disclosed during hiring, and stricter measures are under consideration elsewhere.

The new rules will be enforced for all new hires and could lead to disciplinary actions or job termination for existing employees if membership in extremist groups is proven, with individual cases being decisive.