Reader Response
The following comments reflect the views of DW-WORLD.DE readers. Not all reader comments have been published. DW-WORLD.DE reserves the right to edit for length and appropriateness of content.
Unless Germany wishes to slide back to its days of intolerance seen under Nazi rule or imitate oppressive Marxism denial of speech and thought, it should never ban any party that peacefully assembles and expresses views on public policy. Germany's greatest danger lies in the left and the demographic "Islamification" of Europe. -- Dr. David Brook, US
It appears not only ludicrous but ironic, that some voices in the German government and even some of the citizenry admit that various measures are taken for the purpose of eliminating the freedom of the NDP and others on the right. Yet these same government and public citizens simply swoon in fits of feminine ecstasy at giving every possible advantage to the left. -- Julian, US
Whereas an NPD ban alone will not rid Germany of its growing neo-Nazi problem, it is a necessary first step. A neo-Nazi and neo-fascist party like the NPD has no place in a liberal democracy, and especially not in Germany. The thought that tax payers should continue funding this party and that it should continue to have members in (sub-state) parliaments is outrageous. It is important, however, to fight neo-Nazis and right-wing extremists on all fronts. A ban on the NPD will thus have to be complemented by efforts to prevent and reduce the spread of neo-Nazi ideology. A comprehensive government and civil society effort will have to be at the heart of this. Dismantling only the organizational structures of the neo-Nazi movement is fighting the symptoms, not the disease itself. -- Anne Kreft, Germany
Strange! The mayor of Bamberg claims to represent and promote freedom and rights, yet at the same time wanting to deny the freedom and rights of those who do not share the beliefs! Sounds like Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin to me! -- A. Reinhardt Knapp, US
First of all, as long as left-wing parties peacefully assemble and advocate their platforms, no restriction should be made on their freedom of speech and assembly. However, no political organization should be allowed to commit violence. As for the cause of the rise of the left, I would guess that higher education in Germany is dominated by the left and therefore has indoctrinated impressionable and idealistic students who have been shielded from the reality of death and oppression that have uniformly accompanied Marxist rule. -- Dr. David Brook, US
