Neo-Nazis to hold gathering in Berlin

After being rejected twice by lower courts, neo-Nazis win Supreme Court case allowing them to assemble in Berlin. Municipal bodies already preparing for protest rally

Gil Yaron|Published: 11.11.06 , 16:47

The neo-Nazis are back in Berlin. A radical right-wing party in Germany won a Supreme Court case allowing the NPD party to hold an assembly in a Berlin function hall. This comes after their request to hold the assembly was twice rejected in lower courts.

Berlin's Supreme Court ordered the city's Reinickendorf neighborhood to provide the National Democratic Party (NPD) with a hall with space for 700 people to hold its convention. Some 265 legates and 350 guests are expected to attend the gathering, during which the neo-Nazi party plans to elect a new chairman.

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Lately the NPD has been gaining popularity and Germany, which was evident after it scored a relative victory in local elections which gave five of its representatives parliamentary seats in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

The party’s original request to hold the convention was refused by the Reinickendorf city council, which cited it as “a threat to public safety.” However, the court rejected the council's claim, ruling that the convention could take place under the “party equality” law.

Following the court ruling, all factions of the city council are organizing protest rally with over 2,000 expected participants. Various organizations have already announced additional protests.

In the meantime, calls to outlaw the NPD are gaining force, especially considering the court victory as well as a recent study showing increasingly widespread support in Germany for radically right-wing ideas.

The appointed head of interior affairs in Berlin said in response that “in light of our history, the neo-Nazi party has nothing to look for in Germany.” German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble declared his intention to work with even greater vigor against the radical elements.

Just a few days ago German police arrested 16 people after neo-Nazis disrupted commemorations of Kristallnacht in an east German town.

Austria: Lawmaker’s pro-Nazi comments slammed

In Austria, meanwhile, politicians condemned a right-wing lawmaker for making positive comments about Nazi policies.

Wolfgang Zanger, a lawmaker for the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria, said in a television interview late Tuesday that "of course there were good sides to National Socialism, we just don't hear about them anymore." Zanger commended the Nazi party for reducing unemployment and launched infrastructure projects.

Social Democrat lawmaker Norbert Darabos on Wednesday called Zanger's words "Scandalous and wholly unacceptable."

Salzburg Governor Gabi Burgstaller, also a Social Democrat, said Zanger should resign. "Such delegates aren't wanted in the Lower House of Parliament," she said.

Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache distanced his party from the comments, saying in statement that "the condemnation of National Socialism ... like any other criminal world view is totally without question for the (party)."

The Freedom Party went on to accuse other parties, particularly the Austrian People's Party, of pointing fingers while neglecting to deal with their own history. The Greens, the People's Party and the Alliance for the Future of Austria, echoed the Social Democrats' condemnation.