An AfD event in the eastern German city of Dessau-Roßlau, Saxony-Anhalt, has become the centre of a political and legal controversy after remarks by cabaret artist Uwe Steimle prompted a criminal investigation by local prosecutors. AfD federal co-chairman Tino Chrupalla was also present at the event. The incident has drawn wide criticism and reignited debate about political speech, hate speech laws, and the environment that far-right rhetoric creates for minorities and immigrants in Germany. For the expat community, events like this are important to follow — not only for their immediate legal implications but for what they signal about the broader political climate.
The AfD event was organised as a public gathering in Saxony-Anhalt, a state where the party polls strongly. Uwe Steimle, a comedian known for politically provocative material, made statements at the event that drew immediate public criticism. Prosecutors have since confirmed they are examining whether those remarks constitute a criminal offence under German law — potentially related to incitement to hatred (Volksverhetzung) or similar statutes.
The presence of Tino Chrupalla, one of the AfD's two national co-leaders, gave the event significant visibility and amplified the controversy. Critics from across the political spectrum condemned both the content of the remarks and the platform provided to Steimle by a major political party.
Germany has some of Europe's strictest laws around hate speech and incitement. The criminal code (Strafgesetzbuch) prohibits statements that incite hatred against segments of the population, attack human dignity, or call for violence against groups defined by, among other things, nationality, ethnicity, or origin. Violations can result in fines or imprisonment of up to five years.
These laws are directly relevant to immigrant communities. When public figures or politicians make statements targeting people based on their background, German law provides mechanisms for accountability. The fact that prosecutors opened an investigation swiftly in this case is a signal that authorities are monitoring such events. However, criminal proceedings are slow, and conviction rates in hate speech cases vary.
The AfD remains the second-largest party in the Bundestag following the 2025 federal election and the leading force in several eastern German states. Its political platform includes restrictive immigration policies, and some of its public figures have made statements that immigrant and minority communities have found threatening or hostile.
For expats living in Germany — particularly those from outside the EU, people of colour, or those who are visibly 'foreign' — the AfD's political rise and events like the one in Dessau-Roßlau are not abstract politics. They reflect and shape the social environment in daily life: in the workplace, on public transport, in interactions with neighbours.
Understanding your rights under German law is important. If you experience discrimination or hate speech, you have options:
This incident takes place against a backdrop of ongoing debate in Germany about how to respond to the AfD's influence. Several attempts to place the party under formal surveillance by domestic intelligence services (Verfassungsschutz) have proceeded at the federal level, and the party's youth wing has already been classified as proven extremist. The question of whether the AfD itself can be banned remains a live legal and political discussion.
For immigrants, these developments are significant. A party under scrutiny for extremism that simultaneously polls at around 20% nationally represents a genuine tension in German democratic life — one that expats should stay informed about without necessarily feeling alarm.
Yes. You do not need to be a German citizen or permanent resident to report a crime to the police or to contact the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency. Germany's legal protections against hate speech and discrimination apply to everyone on German territory.
No. Despite ongoing legal and political debates, the AfD is a legally operating political party and the second-largest in the Bundestag. Formal party bans in Germany are rare and require a ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court. The process is ongoing but no ban is currently in effect.
Most expats and immigrants live in Germany without experiencing direct violence or confrontation. However, the political climate can affect everyday interactions and the general sense of welcome. Staying informed, knowing your rights, and connecting with local immigrant support networks are practical steps that help.
The Dessau-Roßlau incident is a reminder that Germany's political landscape — like that of many European countries — includes significant far-right forces whose rhetoric can have real implications for immigrant communities. Staying informed, knowing your legal protections, and being aware of support resources are the most practical things you can do. Deutschland4U will continue to monitor AfD-related developments and their impact on foreigners living in Germany.
If you have experienced discrimination or a hate crime in Germany, you can reach the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency at www.antidiskriminierungsstelle.de or by calling 0800 546 546 0 (free, Mon–Fri).
Source: tagesschau
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