Stefanie Hubig addresses legal safeguards in Sachsen-Anhalt

German Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig has addressed potential legal challenges regarding a possible AfD-led state government in Sachsen-Anhalt. Hubig emphasized that civil servants are bound by the constitution and the rule of law, meaning they must not follow unlawful instructions. She stated that if officials encounter orders that appear illegal, they are obligated to voice their concerns internally.

Hubig further noted that a state government cannot unilaterally abolish existing federal laws, such as marriage equality. In such a scenario, the federal government could potentially exercise 'Bundeszwang' (federal compulsion) to ensure laws are applied correctly, provided there is approval from the Bundesrat.

While Union parliamentary group leader Thorsten Frei described federal compulsion as an 'ultima ratio' to protect democracy and the constitutional order, former Federal Constitutional Court President Hans-Jürgen Papier warned against alarmism. Papier stated that democracy is not in immediate danger and cautioned that spreading alarmist scenarios could unjustly unsettle the population and undermine trust in the democratic system.