Politics

Germany: Far-right AfD stages day of chaos in parliament

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4 months ago

September 27, 2024

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Already classified as “extremist” by the domestic intelligence agency, the anti-immigrant populist party in Thuringia is now staging a prepared political scandal that bodes ill for democracy in Germany.

The eastern German state of Thuringia is far away from Berlin and its federal politics, so it’s not considered a major state in terms of political importance. With just 1.7 million people, it has less than half as many eligible voters as the German capital.

But it wasn’t always that way: The Weimar Republic, considered the first German democracy, was founded in the Thuringian city of Weimar. Culturally speaking, the state was also no lightweight: Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German here, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller made Weimar the center of German literature and philosophy, and the world-famous Bauhaus architecture was also founded in Thuringia.

Nazi-era slogans, extremists under surveillance

In 2024, however, the whole of Germany is looking at Thuringia with concern. For the first time since 1945 — the end of the most disastrous chapter in German history, the rule of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialists (Nazis) — a right-wing extremist party received the most votes in state elections here: the Alternative for Germany (AfD). On September 1, the party achieved a record 32.8 percent of the vote in state elections.

The results were anything but surprising. For months beforehand, constitutional lawyers, political scientists, local clubs, unions, business associations and churches warned of the consequences of an AfD election victory. In countless speeches and writings, top AfD officials have denigrated democratic institutions. Political competitors are insulted as “cartel parties” and German democracy is defamed as a “new dictatorship.” The AfD portrays the independent judiciary as the lackey of politics, has declared the destruction of competing parties as its goal, and is fighting for the deportation of millions of immigrants and people with international background.

And its top officials repeatedly flirt with the Nazi terror regime: A leading party member posed with his hand on his heart in front of Hitler’s bunker, an AfD politician relativized the crimes of the mass-murdering SS paramilitary, an AfD parliamentarian called himself “the friendly face of National Socialism,” a party official sent out Hitler pictures.

One of the AfD’s most influential politicians, Björn Höcke, serves as Thuringia’s AfD state chairman. Höcke has used the slogan of Hitler’s brownshirts SA division, “Everything for Germany!” to round off election campaign speeches. He has twice been found guilty of deliberately using the illegal slogans and sentenced at court to pay heavy fines as a result. The entire state branch of the AfD party has been classified by German domestic intelligence as “extremist,” and has been under surveillance since.

A landmark day in postwar German history

On Thursday, the freshly-elected state parliament convened in Thuringia’s capital, Erfurt – with the AfD as its strongest parliamentary group. The AfD thus served as the “master of ceremonies of democracy;” and because the oldest member of the state parliament is within the party’s ranks, it provided the parliament’s “chairperson by seniority.”

The first parliamentary session is packed with well-practiced democratic rituals: parliament convenes, establishes its quorum, and elects a parliamentary president so that parliamentary work can begin.

But before the procedures began, 73-year-old AfD chairman-by-seniority, Jürgen Treutler, delivered a speech in which he spoke of the “contempt of the people” by an “elite.” And he favorably quoted the nationalist and antisemitic educator Eduard Spranger as one of the “more important German thinkers.” Spranger ensured that Jews were excluded from the Goethe Society literary group in 1938, and defended the development of Nazi society under Hitler. After Treutler finished his scripted speech, a spectacle that constitutional experts had forewarned of began: the AfD attempted to take control of the parliament’s rules of procedure, using its chairman-by-seniority to paralyze parliament during the next step: electing the parliament president.

In Germany, the office of state parliament president is traditionally given to the strongest parliamentary group; the office is not considered important, and the rules to elect the president are somewhat open to interpretation. However, the person who holds that position controls all parliamentary procedures. They can also assign important staff positions in the parliamentary administration. So, the AfD, classified by German domestic intelligence as “definitely right-wing extremist,” wanted to appoint the president, because it is the strongest parliamentary group. Despite a strong state election result, the AfD is not even close to having a parliamentary majority. All other parliamentary parties thus tried to hinder the election of parliament president. The AfD, in turn, then tried to block their effort.

Parliamentary leaders repeatedly held consultations during the chaotic scenes of the opening day of session
© Martin Schutt/dpa/picture alliance

In addition, at this point in the process, a new parliament does not yet have a quorum, leading to scenes of chaos and drama.

From the start of the session, the new chairman-by-seniority refused motions from the other parties. The mood immediately flared. The CDU called it a “power grab” because the “sacred right” of MPs to organize themselves was being denied, and because the AfD – a minority party – was sabotaging the majority opinion in parliament.

The session saw repeated interruptions and hours-long discussions between the parliamentary group leaders at the chairman’s desk. How to proceed? 73-year-old Treutler clung to his speech manuscript. He mostly seemed not to be listening while the director of Parliament, Jörg Hopfe, explained the legal intricacies to the parliamentarians.

While the AfD chairman continued to read from his manuscript, the parliament director interrupted him several times. The director, Hopfe, is a lawyer, a renowned expert on Thuringian parliamentary and constitutional law, and a 33-year veteran of parliamentary administration. He approached the chairman’s podium repeatedly, pointing out alleged procedural errors. When the AfD politician shouted: “Don’t interrupt me!” Hopfe replied: “That’s a breach of the constitution!” Treutler continued unperturbed. It all amounted to an unprecedented procedure.

Legal expert Jörg Hopfe tried several times to explain to AfD’s Jürgen Treutler the parliamentary procedures, but was repeatedly dismissed
© Bodo Schackow/dpa/picture alliance

Renewed calls for ban of AfD

After hours of skirmishes and interruptions, the first plenary day ended with no result. Now the Thuringian Constitutional Court will have to decide how to proceed. That first session seemed to confirm what the AfD has insisted, albeit for different reasons: the democratic establishment cannot work constructively.

Although the Thuringian constitutional judges have not yet made their ruling, numerous legal experts believe the chairman and AfD politician far exceeded his authority and acted inappropriately.

At the conclusion of that chaotic first parliamentary session, the acting Thuringian Interior Minister, Social Democrat Georg Maier, spoke out on the platform X, formerly Twitter. He once again called for Germany to ban the AfD outright: “Today’s events in the Thuringian state parliament have shown that the AfD is aggressively combating parliamentarianism. I think that the prerequisites for a ban procedure have been met.”

Politics

A non Commissioned Officer Killed Ironsi..

Published

11 hours ago

January 25, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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Fifty seven years after his assassination, the departure of General Johnson Aguiyi – Ironsi continues to be engulfed in mystery. Even those closest to him came out with different versions of what transpired in Ibadan, on July 29, 1966.

In all accounts, it is impossible to name who really shot the first African to command United Nations forces and the first Nigerian general. What is certain is that the trigger was pulled by a Non Commissioned Officer ( NCO) after commissioned officers lost control of the rabid situation.

Recently, Col. Sani Bello, then a Second Lieutenant and Ironsi’s Army Aide de Camp ( ADC) debunked claims that he made a deal with the Air Force ADC, Lt. Andrew Nwankwo. The supposed agreement benefitted the duo who escaped as their boss faced imminent death.

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It is curious that it took 57 years for Bello to come out with this version. Nwankwo is late now, so it is difficult to get his reaction. However, I find it odd that a brave officer would agree to run away instead of defending his principal even if death was the price.

Lt. Akintunde Akinsehinwa died defending Gen. Murtala Mohammed in 1976. Maj. Usman Bello was killed as he tried to fight for Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, in 1990. From Bello’s account, he was arrested and detained when he went to ascertain what had become of those who were sent to find out what went wrong at Government House, Ibadan.

While Nwankwo announced to Biafrans that Bello saved him, the latter credits Garba Dada Paiko as their saviour who ordered them into a Land Rover as the killer gang got really blood thirsty. This account makes some sense since Bello and the Ironsi family have continued to relate.

I tend to agree with Bello that he was going to be gunned down, like Ironsi and Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, until Dada Paiko intervened. What I do not know is what happened to Adamu Umoru, Fajuyi’s ADC who was with the other subalterns at Government House Ibadan during the coup.

Paiko and Bello hailed from Bida Province, that could have worked. If Paiko desired, he would have left Nwankwo with the assassins instead of taking him away with Bello. The moment he was about to drive off, Sgt. Tijanni Maiduguri fired the shot that killed the military governor of Western Region.

It is almost certain that no commissioned officer was there when Ironsi died. That explains the different names being bandied about since 1966. Yakubu Danjuma, Dada Paiko, William Walbe, Nuhu Nathan, Clement Dabang, Musa Bitiyong, Ibrahim Rabo, Bako Wali, all these names keep popping up.

Dada Paiko played a major role in the abduction of Ironsi and Fajuyi but denied killing the general. He came out with another puzzle. The name Sgt. Bakari Baba Lapai should interest everyone. He was alleged to have hit Danjuma’s shoulders for wasting time with the Head of State.

According to Paiko, while Nuhu Nathan snatched Ironsi’s crocodile swagger stick called Charlie, Baba Lapai disappeared with it. Till date, there is no trace of Bakari Baba Lapai in Nigeria Army records, so said Paiko who unfortunately, is not alive today to repeat himself.

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August 5, 2023

Unknown Gunman Shot Ironsi, By Emeka Obasi
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Paiko further explained that while in the United States in 1963, he came across one Vararo Segura, an Ifa high priest, also known as Obafemi. The story was that supreme power in the world was with Orisha, and it was believed that Chief Ladoke Akintola, governor of Western Region, before Fajuyi possessed such power.

Segura tried to convince Dada Paiko that someone snatched the power from Akintola after his assassination in January 1966. And the verdict was that Ironsi had it in his crocodile swagger stick. A funny tale because the general was in Lagos at the time Emma

Nwobosi led troops to kill Akintola in Ibadan.

The fear of Ironsi was real. As a United Nations Peace keeper in the Congo, he braved Katanga rebels to rescue an Austrian medical team and some Nigerian soldiers. That act earned him the Ritter Kruez ( First Class) medal.

The Congolese rebels under Moise Tshombe were dreaded as cannibals. The killing of Lt. G. Ezeugbana confirmed it. Lt. Olusegun Obasanjo was lucky. He cheated death after being dumped in a vehicle booth. That Ironsi dared them made headlines.

The second Secretary General of the United Nations, Dag Hammarskjold, did not survive the Katanga crisis. His aircraft was blown up near Ndola, Zambia on his way to negotiate a ceasefire between UN troops and Tshombe’s soldiers.

Those who took Ironsi and Fajuyi away, knew they returned from Congo with medals. What they did not know was that the crocodile swagger stick was bought in Lubumbashi as a souvenir.

It possessed no power from Orisha. Apparently, Baba Lapai was a ghost sent from the spirit world.

The mystery is endless. Stories continue to fly. Some said Ironsi and Fajuyi were tied to a Land Rover, driven to Olodo Village along Ibadan – Iwo Road, tied to trees and executed. Another account said they were buried in a shallow grave at Lalupon. However, their bodies were exhumed from the Military Cemetery, Jericho, Ibadan.

How strange that some of the names associated with Ironsi’s death in 1966, were also killed much later over coup plots. Dabang, Rabo, Umoru died in 1976. Bitiyong was executed in 1986. Others who were part of second coup of 1966, died following a third coup in 1976. Murtala, Isa Bukar, Abdul Wya, Bukar Dimka, Mac Donald Gotibp, Sabo Kwale, all lost their lives.

Bello was commissioned on July 29, 1965. Hammarskjold was born on July 29, 1905. Ironsi died on July 29, 1966. His successor, Yakubu Gowon, was overthrown on July 29, 1975. Murtala who led the coup against Ironsi, became Head of State on July 29, 1975.

Politics

Tens of thousands protest across Slovakia against PM Robert Fico’s stance on Russia

Published

16 hours ago

January 25, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets across Slovakia to voice their opposition to the policies of Prime Minister Robert Rico who they accuse of being pro-Russia.

The latest wave of anti-government rallies was fuelled by Fico’s trip to Moscow on Thursday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, a rare visit to the Kremlin by a European Union leader since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

“Slovakia belongs to Europe, we want to belong to Europe in terms of values. We do not belong to Russia, we do not actually want to collaborate with Russia in any way, and this is our position, which we must express politely but responsibly,” said Marián Kulich, the Managing Director of the Peace for Ukraine organisation, speaking at a rally in the capital, Bratislava.

Fico’s recent remarks that that it was a possibility to change Slovakia’s foreign policy orientation and leave the European Union and NATO were among other recent steps by the prime minister that has sparked anger among protesters.

Friday’s protests took place in 28 locations, more than double that compared to two weeks ago amid heightened tensions after Fico accused organisers and the opposition earlier this week of being in contact with an unspecified group of foreigners who he says are working toward engineering a coup in Slovakia.

Fico linked his accusations to a secret report by the country’s spy service (SIS) that he presented in parliament on Tuesday.

The details aren’t known but Fico publicly said that the opposition plans to occupy government buildings, block roads, organise a nationwide strike and provoke clashes with police forces as parts of the alleged plan to overthrow his government.

“We see a structure that wants to exploit these meetings, these rallies, primarily for a possible clash with the security forces of the state, to escalate tensions even further. To further aggression and then to fulfil the plan that is being disseminated today by the organisers of these protests,” Fico said on Friday.

Slovak leaders said that the situation was serious but the opposition dismissed the report and accused SIS of being misused for political purposes.

The organisers of most of the rallies from the Peace for Ukraine organisation dismissed Fico’s claims and said that he is trying to frighten the Slovak population.

All of the public anti-government protests since Fico’s cabinet was sworn in on 25 October, 2023, have been peaceful.

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico addresses the media during a meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban in Bratislava, 21 January, 2025 Petr David Josek/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved

Organisers say their protest in Bratislava was attended by around 60,000 people and that rallies will continue on 7 February.

Ficos’s views on Russia have sharply differed from the European mainstream.

He returned to power in 2023 after his leftist party Smer (Direction) won the parliamentary election on a pro-Russia and anti-America platform.

Since then, he has ended Slovakian military aid for Ukraine, lashed out at EU sanctions on Russia and vowed to block Ukraine from joining NATO.

Fico is a polarising figure in Slovakia and survived an assassination attempt in May 2024.

Politics

Taiwan’s political divisions weaken defence stance as Trump returns

Published

18 hours ago

January 25, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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Taipei [Taiwan], January 25 (ANI): Taiwan‘s parliament has voted to freeze billions in defence spending just hours after Donald Trump‘s inauguration, raising concerns about the island’s preparedness against China‘s mounting threats, CNN reported.

The move, backed by the opposition, comes at a time when Taiwan is navigating strained relations with the United States under Trump‘s transactional approach to foreign policy. Critics warn that this decision could jeopardise Taiwan‘s military reformsand send negative signals to Washington.

Taiwan, a major semiconductor producer and democratically governed territory, faces constant threats from China, which claims the island as part of its territory. Despite never having governed Taiwan, Beijing continues to vow reunification, by force if necessary. The United States has been Taiwan‘s main arms supplier and strategic partner, but Trump‘s “America First” policy has heightened fears about whether Washington will continue its support without greater financial contributions from Taipei.

The opposition-led vote to block funding comes as Taiwan‘s President Lai Ching-te struggles with a parliament dominated by opposition forces. Critics argue that this budget freeze could weaken Taiwan‘s Defence capabilities and damage its credibility with the US “If there is not enough budget to consistently improve Taiwan‘s defence reforms and capabilities, the international community will doubt Taiwan‘s determination to defend ourselves,” Lai said in a Facebook post. The frozen funds impact key projects, including the development of indigenous submarines and drones.

Taiwan‘s Premier Cho Jung-tai strongly condemned the opposition’s actions, calling them “suicidal” and warning that they send “the wrong signal to the United States.” Defence Minister Wellington Koo echoed these concerns, emphasising that the freeze could undermine Taiwan‘s military modernisation efforts. Trump, known for his criticism of Taiwan‘s defence spending, previously called for the island to increase its defence allocation to 10 per cent of GDP – a fourfold increase from its current levels.

Taiwan‘s defence spending has faced scrutiny even before Trump‘s return. A backlog of more than USD 20 billion in undelivered US military equipment has hampered Taiwan‘s modernisation efforts. Concerns have also been raised about Taiwan‘s reliance on asymmetric warfare strategies, which prioritise smaller, more mobile systems like drones and portable missiles over conventional military equipment.

Defence experts argue that while progress has been made, much more needs to be done to counter the growing threat from China, which has the world’s largest standing army and spends 11 times more on defence than Taiwan, CNN reported.

Public sentiment in Taiwan reflects growing anxiety over the political deadlock. Residents have expressed concern about how the opposition-led freeze might be perceived by the US “I hope that Taiwan‘s legislature doesn’t embarrass itself and lose face to foreign countries,” said Wang Cheng-yi, a postgraduate student at National TaiwanUniversity. Ms. Hsu, a 75-year-old Taipei resident, emphasised the importance of unity, saying, “Everybody should sit down and talk. Taiwan must balance relations with both the US and China. We are small. We cannot afford to make either big brother unhappy.”

China‘s growing military aggression and diplomatic isolation of Taiwan have added urgency to the island’s defence preparations. Last year, US intelligence suggested that Chinese President Xi Jinping had instructed his military to prepare for an invasion of Taiwan by 2027. While this does not guarantee an invasion, it underscores the escalating threat. The United States has historically maintained a policy of “strategic ambiguity” under the Taiwan Relations Act, which commits Washington to providing Taiwan with the means to defend itself without explicitly promising military intervention.

Taiwan‘s military reforms have faced criticism for their slow pace. Issues such as inadequate reservist training and delays in deploying advanced weaponry have drawn scrutiny. The ongoing debate over Taiwan‘s indigenous submarine program further highlights the challenges. Alexander Huang, head of international affairs for the opposition Kuomintang party, defended the budget freeze, stating, “We are not opposing indigenous weapon system development. However, we emphasise that we need to be very prudent to make sure our self-designed submarine can actually work.”

The political discord also extends to Taiwan‘s infrastructure. Earlier this week, undersea cables connecting Taiwan to the Matsu islands were severed due to “natural deterioration,” disrupting internet services in the area. The digital affairs ministry has warned that further budget cuts could hinder the maintenance of critical infrastructure, leaving Taiwan vulnerable to potential exploitation by Beijing.

Despite these challenges, some Taiwanese remain optimistic. Yeh Hsin-wei, a student in Taipei, pointed to Taiwan‘s semiconductor industry as a key deterrent against Beijing. “The world needs our chips, so I think China wouldn’t risk a war,” he said to CNN. “We need to be prepared, but maybe not worry too much.”

Analysts have urged Taiwan‘s government to focus on presenting a united front, especially in light of Trump‘s return to the White House. “With or without Trump‘s inauguration, with China‘s increasing aggression over Taiwan, it is indeed Taiwan‘s top priority to continue to increase its self-defence budget,” said Wei-Ting Yen, an assistant research fellow at Academia Sinica. “That’s definitely not a good signal.” (ANI)

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