Sellner was allowed to enter Germany, but Wirt was closed

According to “Passauer Neue Presse” (online edition), Sellner arrived at the Passau border crossing on Monday around 6 p.m. in a black Mini and was subjected to a check by officials. At around 6:45 p.m. it was clear: Sellner would be allowed to enter the country. But he was denied the hot drink and cake he wanted in Café Greindl in Passau. When the innkeeper found out about Sellner’s announcement, he decided to keep his restaurant closed on Monday.

“My team is colorful”

He expressly distances himself from Sellner and his views, said managing director Stephan Greindl in a statement on social media. “My team is diverse – just like our products,” says Greindl. On Monday he didn’t even open the door. “Dear customers, our café will be closed today! Our café should not be used as a platform for political activities,” read a notice.

The “Spiegel” reported at the weekend with reference to security circles that an entry for Sellner had been made in the internal wanted database of the German Federal Police. During a check, the police could prevent the Austrian from crossing the border. The background to this was the controversial conference of right-wing extremists in Potsdam, at which the activist gave a lecture on the topic of “remigration”. On Sunday it was said that the Passau immigration authorities were examining the possibility of banning Sellner from entering the country. In coordination with the German security authorities, it will be assessed whether there is a threat to security and public order.

• Also read: After right-wing meeting: City of Potsdam is considering entry ban for Sellner

Live channel on Telegram

Sellner, for his part, announced on social media on Sunday that he would visit Passau and, if necessary, allow himself to be deported at the German-Austrian border. He documented his journey on Monday via a live channel on Telegram under the title “My Escape to Germany”. In the video, the 35-year-old said he didn’t know exactly whether there really was an entry ban. “We’re putting it to the test.” He was excited to see what would happen: “either the first pushback from Passau and the proof that a border can be secured if one only wants to. Or the fact that despite the great noise and theatre, entry is unproblematic.”

• You might also be interested in: Who was on the guest list at the “Castell Aurora” in Steyregg

“No threat to public safety”

Officers from the German Federal Police in Passau then checked cars arriving from Austria. Police Chief Inspector Jürgen Bockstedt told the Bayern media group that they were checking to see whether Martin Sellner was a threat to public safety and order. The decision as to whether he was allowed to enter rested with the federal police in Potsdam. Bockstedt: “We have questioned the reasons why he is entering the country and we have not found any reasons that indicate that he poses a threat to public safety and order – and that is why he is allowed to enter the country.”

Sellner cheered: “The welcoming culture in Passau was overwhelming.” According to “Passauer Neue Presse”, there was great media interest at the border. Camera teams were also on site.

Talk about remigration

Sellner was the spokesman for the Identitarian Movement Austria (IBÖ), which was classified as right-wing extremist, until 2023. In January, the research platform Correctiv made public a meeting of radical right-wingers on November 25th in Potsdam, in which some German politicians took part. Sellner said he spoke about “remigration” at the meeting. When right-wing extremists use the term, they usually mean that large numbers of people of foreign origin should leave the country – even under duress.

Protests in Germany and Austria

The meeting led to protests in Germany and Austria. In Germany, hundreds of thousands of people have been taking to the streets against right-wing extremism for weeks. Anti-right-wing demonstrations took place for the first time in Austria last Friday. According to the organizers, at least 80,000 people gathered in front of the parliament in Vienna despite the rain in a mass rally that was widely supported to “defend democracy”. According to the police there were up to 35,000 people. There were also protest events in Innsbruck and Salzburg.

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