Guideline for Handling Teachers from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) Party in Brandenburg

The Education Ministry and the Ministry of the Interior in Brandenburg are set to establish concrete guidelines for handling teachers, a move prompted by the recent classification of the local AfD party as undeniably right-wing extremist.

Education Minister Steffen Freiberg (SPD) has emphasised the need for these guidelines, stating that loyalty to the constitution must be sworn and guaranteed for teachers. This comes as the Brandenburg government decides to make public the report about the AfD's loyalty to the constitution.

The domestic intelligence agency has expressed concern over increasing radicalization within the Brandenburg AfD, with activities that violate human dignity and democratic principles. This revelation has sparked a debate about possible consequences for AfD members in public service.

Uncertainty is growing among AfD members, particularly those employed in public service, due to the potential consequences of the party's classification. Each case of an AfD member in public service will be examined individually to determine whether and what labor law measures are necessary.

The review of the practice of requesting reports from the domestic intelligence agency for future civil servants is ongoing. This practice, which was initiated by the state parliament as early as 2024, aims to check the loyalty to the constitution of potential employees.

The specific contents of the report about the AfD's loyalty to the constitution have not been disclosed. However, it is important to note that party membership itself is not relevant in hiring teachers, whether it is for the AfD, social democrats, or Christian democrats.

The debate about possible consequences for AfD members in public service has intensified. If there are significant doubts about a teacher's loyalty to the constitution, the state should intervene. Whether a ban procedure for the Brandenburg AfD will be initiated is controversial and would require a decision by the Bundestag, Bundesrat, or federal government.

It's worth noting that the position of head of the State Intelligence Service in Brandenburg, following the debate about classifying the AfD as definitively right-wing extremist, has not been explicitly stated in the available search results. Martin Jäger became president of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) in 2025, but this is a federal position, not specifically related to Brandenburg or the AfD classification issue.

The new domestic intelligence chief in Brandenburg is a judge from Berlin. The review of the practice of requesting reports from the domestic intelligence agency for future civil servants is a critical step towards ensuring the constitutional loyalty of those in positions of authority, particularly teachers.