Court Overturns Ban on German Far-Right Publication

A judicial panel in Leipzig has ruled to reverse a ban previously placed on Compact, a well-known far-right publication in Germany.

While some interpret the verdict as a setback in efforts to curb extremist ideologies, others see it as a reaffirmation of the nation’s strong commitment to civil liberties and freedom of speech.

The magazine had been outlawed by the interior ministry in July 2024 on grounds that it posed a threat to constitutional values and promoted hostile rhetoric targeting minority groups.

“It is a central mouthpiece of the right-wing extremist scene,” said German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser at the time. “This magazine incites unspeakable hatred against Jews, against people with a migration background, and against our parliamentary democracy.”

Authorities have previously connected the publication to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. It has also been labeled as extremist by the country’s domestic intelligence service.

In their ruling on Tuesday, the court acknowledged that Compact had disseminated messages that could be considered hostile to the constitution. However, the judges concluded that this alone did not provide sufficient justification to outlaw it entirely.

Many remarks in the magazine may be deemed “exaggerated but permissible criticism,” presiding Judge Ingo Kraft told the court. “The constitution guarantees freedom of expression and freedom of the press, even towards enemies of the constitution.”

Following the judgment, the publication’s chief editor, Jürgen Elsässer—who previously characterized the outlet as “democracy’s assault gun”—claimed that the ruling was a win not only for his team but for the AfD as well. He argued that if Compact could not legally be suppressed, neither could the party.

The decision arrives amid intense national debate over whether banning the AfD could backfire by reinforcing its narrative of political persecution. Though classified as a far-right extremist entity by security services, some critics of the party argue that outlawing it might further fuel its support.

Over recent months, German authorities have taken action against various organisations deemed hostile to the country’s democratic framework, including those with links to far-right networks. Figures within these movements argue they are being unfairly targeted by state power.

Voices aligned with former U.S. President Donald Trump have also weighed in, accusing Germany of suppressing dissent. At a major international security gathering earlier this year, U.S. Vice President JD Vance stunned attendees with a scathing criticism of German leadership, alleging that political forces were marginalizing the AfD and cracking down on freedom of speech.

Despite such claims, AfD representatives regularly appear in televised debates and have equal speaking rights alongside mainstream political parties in the federal legislature.

Germany’s painful historical experiences under Nazi and communist dictatorships have shaped its modern approach to regulating speech. Legal thresholds for outlawing publications or political groups remain intentionally high.

Many such cases are brought before the courts, and rulings—such as this one allowing Compact to resume operation—are often beyond the reach of government appeal.