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Björn Höcke wrote that since the beginning of his political career he has been in conflict with the media, courts, and opponents whom he referred to as left-wing terrorists. His family also suffers from this. At the same time, he pointed to Martin Sellner, who, according to him, has been even more severely affected. According to Höcke, Sellner was acquitted in Graz in 2018 of the charge of having formed a criminal organization. An investigation into the suspicion of involvement in a terrorist organization was closed in 2021; Sellner was also acquitted of the charge of incitement. Höcke wrote that Sellner has always spoken out against violence and that he has no other criminal offenses to his name. Höcke attributed the ban on his association in Austria to political reasons. He stated that the group is considered dangerous because of its attractiveness to intelligent young people. Höcke also reported that Sellner had been fined because he wore a T-shirt with the logo of the video game "Overwatch," even though neither the game nor the logo is prohibited. According to Höcke, Sellner cannot open an account at any financial institution: more than 125 banks have closed his accounts, and more than 380 have rejected his applications. Höcke wrote that since June 2019, Sellner has not been allowed to enter the United Kingdom indefinitely. He cannot visit the USA either, after his ESTA travel authorization was revoked in 2019. A three-year entry ban to Germany was suspended three months later; in the meantime, Sellner can no longer travel to France for that reason. Höcke described him as internationally ostracized. Despite these measures, he admires Sellner's humor and his dealings with the authorities, Höcke wrote. He called the demands of certain party friends for a ban on the IB in Germany shortsighted and despicable. In his view, such a procedure could set new precedents that would subsequently turn against one's own side and make love for one's homeland a crime. #Politik #Freiheit #Repression (translated)

Zoltán Tarr, the new Hungarian Minister of Culture, has dismissed Szilveszter Ókovács, the General Director of the Hungarian State Opera, due to allegations of embezzlement, while Ókovács emphasizes that his conscience is clear and that he will defend himself against the dismissal. #Ungarn #Kulturpolitik #Oper (translated)

The author asked whether parliamentarians should disclose their votes or have the right to deceive their voters in private. He stated that he shares the view of VRiLG Dr. Marc Petit: parliamentarians are responsible to their conscience, which should show respect to the voters. #Transparenz #Wahlen #Abgeordnete #DE (translated)

The author wrote that CDU representatives in Saxony-Anhalt must swear an affidavit that they did not vote for AfD candidates. He described this as an attack on the free mandate, freedom of conscience, secret ballot, and democracy, as well as a scandal. #Demokratie #Meinungsfreiheit #SachsenAnhalt #DE (translated)

The author wrote that the constitution stipulates that representatives vote according to their conscience, elections are secret, and participation in votes is expected. However, those who exercise these rights must expect to be excluded from the party, he explained. Therefore, the country is approaching a simulation of the rule of law. As background, he referred to media such as the public broadcaster, DIE ZEIT, and SPIEGEL. https://t.co/W6pIQbaZHV #Rechtsstaat #Demokratie #Meinungsfreiheit #DE #AT #CH (translated)

The author wrote that Guido Heuer was elected to vote freely and only in accordance with his conscience during important votes in the plenary hall. The fact that Heuer is now being threatened for this says a lot about the state of democracy and who poses a threat to it. (translated)

Bernd Kaiser accused Fritz-Kola of double standards. He wrote that the company had presented itself as left-wing and anti-capitalist for years, but was now criticizing the planned sugar tax, which would particularly impact the company due to its sugar content of 10.5 grams per 100 milliliters. Kaiser estimated Fritz-Kola's annual revenue at 116 million euros and said the company complained about bureaucracy and hundreds of additional customs officers. At the same time, he criticized that Fritz-Kola was acting as a sponsor of the CDU party conference. The tax, according to Kaiser, would burden local medium-sized businesses while large corporations like Coca-Cola would be less affected. #Zuckersteuer #Doppelmoral https://t.co/vNlj5kf4H6 #Doppelmoral #Sozialismus #Wirtschaft (translated)

Igor Levit wrote that a contribution from a working group of the Neukölln Left, featuring the party logo, advertised Kufiyas in Buchenwald and claimed that the memorial site provides ideological support for an ongoing genocide. He reminded that Jews had been murdered in Buchenwald and criticized that the commemoration of them was being portrayed as a weapon. Levit asked how the Greens and SPD could govern with the party in Berlin while reconciling this with their conscience. #Buchenwald #Gedenken #Genozid (translated)

The ÖRR Blog published the criticism of the professional association BLV-pro against a video by Jan Böhmermann. The association stated that the portrayal of a GDR moped rider as a parody of the AfD politician Siegmund, who is repeatedly run over by a truck while riding a Simson, creates the impression that Siegmund is wished dead, or at least that this outcome is accepted. BLV-pro also criticized that the video generally depicts truck drivers as violent and exploits their profession for provocation. In light of the deaths of four young moped drivers, the portrayal is particularly disrespectful. The association also noted that the contribution is financed with public funds. BLV-pro announced that it is examining legal action and filing a complaint. The association demanded a public statement, a clear distancing from the portrayal, and respect for truck drivers. #OerrBlog #Protest #Satire #LkwFahrer (translated)

Russia's ruler Vladimir Putin made it clear that he viewed Gershkovich as a bargaining chip to secure the release of Krassikov. In early September, Putin accused the Japanese government of being "entirely responsible" for the "deterioration" in relations. #Spionage #Journalismus #RusslandJapanBeziehungen (translated)

Volker Ketzer wrote that the coalition has agreed on a sugar tax, which is to be 26 or 32 cents per liter for heavily sweetened beverages starting in July 2027. Manufacturers with an annual production of less than one million liters of sweetened beverages are exempt from this. He noted that this would treat two beverages with the same sugar content differently, depending on how much the manufacturer produces in total. He described this distinction as noteworthy from a health policy perspective and questioned whether sugar is unhealthy only above a certain production size. #Zuckersteuer #Gesundheit #Ernährung (translated)

Ganesha wrote that the Panda Pharmacy had insulted AfD voters in a video and was now being trolled. He believed that they were making several PR mistakes: they repeatedly mentioned the trolls, appeared angry and hurt, and portrayed themselves as victims by reporting a call with a voice described in a derogatory manner and asking, "Rainer, is that you?" He also criticized their complaint about the review bombing. Ganesha asked if they understood social networks and noted that they seemed to assume the trolls would now feel guilt and stop. https://t.co/J959jtJA3P #PandaApotheke #PRFehler #SocialMedia (translated)

DavidGegenGoliath wrote that the CDU of Saxony-Anhalt wants to leave the plenary chamber united during the election of Ulrich Siegmund so that no one votes "incorrectly." He claimed that representatives would be escorted out for their protection; those remaining in the chamber would be viewed with suspicion. This is not a firewall, but a restriction of a secret vote. He asked what would happen if the four CDU representatives remained seated and took an open stance. Then it would become clear that elected officials are obligated to their voters and not to the party line, he wrote. The AfD won the election by a landslide, while the CDU is fleeing from the vote, according to his portrayal. https://t.co/So7MmQZkrv #Politik #Demokratie #Wahlen (translated)

Yvonne Kussmann wrote that the CDU parliamentary group has decided to leave the room united during the election of the Prime Minister in Saxony-Anhalt. According to Kussmann, this is intended to prevent a member from voting according to their own conscience. She criticized the approach as childish and accused the CDU of primarily pursuing its own interests and insisting on the "firewall" to remain in power. Kussmann wrote that this approach would cause former CDU voters to turn away from the party. The responsible individuals, fearing the consequences of their previous wrong decisions, have lost their rationality and are resorting to tricks instead of corrections to continue the firewall policy that harms the party and the country, she claimed. She described the involved politicians as cowardly and insincere, stating that such politicians have no place in parliaments. #CDU #SachsenAnhalt #Politik (translated)

GFrei.News reported that Sven Schulze leaves the room in fear as soon as Ulrich Siegmund enters, and speculates that CDU representatives also left the room during the election of the Minister President. This could prevent a CDU representative from voting according to their conscience, as required by the Basic Law, according to the article. The tactic could work in the first two ballots, provided that the BSW does not vote for Siegmund, GFrei.News explained. A majority of all members of the state parliament is needed for this. In the third round of voting, however, only a majority of those present is required, which is why the AfD would then surely win – unless the CDU is back in the room and Schulze has control over his representatives. GFrei.News claimed that Schulze and his ministers could remain in office throughout the entire legislative period if the CDU successfully stays absent, since the AfD would need a two-thirds majority for a new election. Schulze is apparently trying to continue governing for five years without an election in this way, the account wrote. https://t.co/VLjBRwCQuR #Ministerpräsidentenwahl #Demokratie #CDU (translated)

Dennis Riehle wrote that the reference to a necessary mourning period for Bärbel Bas had initially been understandable, mentioning September 27 and 30 and October 4 for this. Meanwhile, 17 days have passed since the death of Daniela Ambrosius. Riehle referred to Ambrosius as Bas' stepdaughter and pointed out the age difference of about five years, which he argued makes the classification of the relationship between parent and "child" questionable. Riehle criticized that personal grief is used in Berlin as a shield against criticism. According to him, employees usually only have a grace period of 48 to 72 hours after a death in the closest circle and must then take vacation, reduce overtime, or get a sick note. Three weeks of absence with ongoing salary and protection from opposition are unimaginable for ordinary citizens. Criticism of this difference does not relativize the loss but points out different standards, he wrote. Furthermore, Riehle accused the SPD of placing more importance on the consideration of its own members than on political tasks. He referred to low polling numbers and claimed that SPD-led departments had primarily blocked issues, while questions regarding an eight-hour workday, protection against dismissal, basic security, and pensions remained open. Schwesig and Klingbeil responded with admonitions instead of taking responsibility. Riehle also criticized the outgoing SPD chair for giving the coalition partner an unnecessary dressing down instead of handing over her official duties in an orderly manner. He described using sensitivity as an argument against criticism and tears to deflect criticism of poor performance as weak and despicable. #Politik #Gesellschaft #Trauer (translated)