Lifting the immunity of AfD deputy Gnauck

The Bundestag lifted the immunity of AfD MP and Federal Chairman of the AfD, Hannes Januck. background after Answer-Media statements he made during his time in the German Army.

The Bundestag has lifted the immunity of AfD MP Hannes Gnauck due to disciplinary measures in the German army. According to the information received, the reason for the internal investigation is: ARD Capital StudiosGnauck is said to have sparked anger against asylum seekers and foreigners during his time in the German army. The Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD), the German army's secret service, classified it as a “suspected case of right-wing extremism” in 2020. Gnauck is the federal head of Junge Alternative.

MAD classified Gnauk as an extremist

Therefore, the German army prevented him from wearing a military uniform and from serving. In 2021, he was finally classified as an extremist by MAD. Disciplinary proceedings have been suspended since he entered the Bundestag in 2021. In order for judicial disciplinary proceedings to be initiated, the MP's immunity must be lifted. Why this is happening now is still unclear.

The AfD politician announced through the Brandenburg Regional Association in the evening: “I presented in writing to the President of the Bundestag weeks ago to lift my immunity and thus eliminate the allegations that have been raised.” According to Gnauck, Bundestag President Barbel Pass (SPD) said afterwards that “this step was not necessary at all.”

Gnauck himself sees a connection to the European Union elections

Gnauck suspects a connection to the upcoming European elections: “Now, shortly before the EU elections, for no apparent reason, my immunity has been lifted in order to enable investigations into the procedure which has now been suspended for three years due to my tenure in the Bundestag.” His business relationship was suspended and the justification for waiving immunity was “incomprehensible and highly questionable.” He continues to talk about “a campaign against the Alternative for Germany party that has been going on for weeks.” He has nothing to blame himself for.

The 32-year-old, from Uckermark in Brandenburg, entered the Bundestag via the AfD's state list. Since October 2022, he has been the federal president of Junge Alternative, the “safe far-right” youth organization affiliated with the AfD, according to the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The fact that the AfD parliamentary group sent Gnauck as a representative to the Defense Committee of the Bundestag caused a sensation. The committee controls the Ministry of Defense and meets in secret.

Waiving second immunity in one day

The Bundestag had previously lifted the immunity of Alternative for Germany MP Peter Bystron. The Munich Public Prosecutor's Office had begun investigations into initial suspicions of bribery and money laundering and searched several items that were linked to Bystrone.