Extremism: Federal Supreme Court decides on “Compact” ban

The Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig announced its judgment in the prohibition procedure against the right -wing extremist magazine “Compact” today (10 a.m.). In the urgent procedure, the judges had temporarily suspended the ban last summer, so that the paper could continue to appear for the time being. Now the final decision is due in the main proceedings.

At the hearing before the Federal Supreme Court, the trial participants had an exchange of blows for two days to whether the ban on the magazine is justified. The Leipzig judges are in the first and last instance for lawsuits against club bans.

The then Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) banned the magazine on July 16, 2024 and described it as the “central mouthpiece of the right -wing extremist scene”. This was associated with an immediate setting of the entire print and online offer from “Compact”.

Legally, the step is a ban on association – according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, companies can also be banned under certain conditions.

In contrast, the Federal Administrative Court had not raised any objections in the urgent procedure. The “Compact” lawyers criticize this, but doubt that the court is willing to change this opinion.

What question is the focus?

The question is whether statements by the media company are still considered to be expressions of opinion and are covered by the press and freedom of expression. Or whether they are constitutional and represent a concrete hazard. It is crucial for the evaluation whether unconstitutional content is formative for “compact”.

The prohibition order said: “It is feared that recipients of the media products by the publications, which also aggressively propagate the fall of the political order, will be stiffened and encouraged to act against the constitutional order.” According to the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the media company is not only against the federal government, but also “generally against the political system”.

Is “Compact” a regular media company?

According to the ministry, the “Compact” Magazin GmbH has long been the focus of the constitutional protection and was classified and observed as secured at the end of 2021 as secured.

The media company, founded in 2010, used to be based in the Brandenburg Falkensee, and now sits in Stessen in Saxony-Anhalt. According to the court, the edition of the “Compact” magazine is 40,000 copies, the online TV channel reaches up to 460,000 clicks.

Chief editor Jürgen Elsässer-At the negotiation, accompanied by wife Stephanie and Paul Klemm from the TV broadcaster of the “Compact” magazine-presented himself as the sole decision-maker in court. The “Compact” -GmbH could not be referred to as an association, according to the 68-year-old.

He stated that around 30 employees had worked around the clock in the publishing house. They were fully utilized with the creation and spread of editorial work. Instead of switching advertising, press festivals were organized and their own “role exaggerated as if we were part of a movement”.

Elsässer emphasized that there are occasional right authors in the magazine, but “” Compact “is not right and certainly not right -wing extremist”. The ratio of “compact” makers and the Austrian right-wing extremist Martin Sellner, who had several say in the magazine, also has a special meaning when assessing. It should be clarified to what extent the plaintiffs adopted its concept – and in what form, said the presiding judge Ingo Kraft.

What does the “Compact” team look at the judgment?

Elsässer was confident before the hearing in Leipzig. “We are optimistic that the court will make a democratic decision,” said the 68-year-old. “A magazine like” Compact “cannot be banned in a democracy.” Compact “defends the freedom-democratic order towards the government’s authoritarian assault,” said the editor-in-chief. His lawyer, Lauren’s need, expects a trend -setting judgment.

If the ban is confirmed against his expectations, “Compact” is immediately illegal, explained Elsässer. The way to Karlsruhe to the Federal Constitutional Court is possible. But that has no suspensive effect. “We are prepared for everything,” he said.

How do journalist associations assess the procedure?

“The decision is of fundamental importance for freedom of expression and press,” said the German Journalist Association (DJV). The central question is whether a “combative-aggressive attitude of the association” can be proven to the constitutional regulations. “Only then would a complete ban be justified,” said the association on request. Measures such as a restriction of individual contributions, event bans or local and event-related statements are also conceivable.

From the perspective of reporters without borders (RSF), the case affects central questions of freedom of the press. The verdict could have “far -reaching signal effect for dealing with media at the border with anti -constitutionality,” it said from the organization.