Germany's Interior Ministry Bans Right-Wing Compact Magazine

Germany's interior ministry has banned the right-wing Compact magazine, labeling it a mouthpiece for right-wing extremism and accusing it of inciting hatred against Jews and foreigners. The ban extends to its subsidiary, Conspect Film, and includes property searches across four states. This move is part of the government's broader effort to counter rising far-right extremism in the country.

Germany's interior ministry banned the right-wing Compact magazine on Tuesday, accusing it of being a "mouthpiece of the right-wing extremist scene" and inciting hatred of Jews and foreigners. Stepping up the government's fight against what it says is a surge in far-right extremism in Germany, the ministry said Compact had been working against the constitutional order and ordered property searches in four states.

Compact magazine, widely seen as a mouthpiece of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party's radical wing, has a circulation of 40,000 and a significant social media presence. The ban also extends to Compact's subsidiary, Conspect Film, prohibiting any continuation of previous activities. Searches were conducted in the offices and homes of top figures, management, and leading shareholders in Brandenburg, Hesse, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt to seize assets and other evidence, according to the ministry.

"It is a central mouthpiece of the right-wing extremist scene. This magazine incites hatred against Jews, people with a history of migration, and our parliamentary democracy in an unspeakable manner," Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said. Faeser has described right-wing extremism as the greatest threat to German democracy, amidst rising popularity of the AfD before elections in eastern Germany this year.

(With inputs from agencies.)