Germany’s top security official bans a far-right magazine, accusing it of spreading hatred

BERLIN — Germany’s top security official on Tuesday banned a far-right magazine, accusing it of inciting hatred against Jews, people with immigrant roots and parliamentary democracy.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser banned Compact magazine and the company that publishes it, Compact-Magazin GmbH, as well as the film production company Conspect Film. Police raided properties and apartments in four German regions linked to the organizations, their directors and shareholders, according to the ministry.

Faeser described Compact as “a central spokesperson for the far-right scene.” He said in a statement that “this magazine agitates indescribably against Jews, against people with a history of migration and against our parliamentary democracy.”

“Our signal is clear: we will not allow who belongs to Germany and who does not to be defined by their ethnic origin.” Faeser added.

Compact is run by the far-right Jürgen Elsässer and produces the monthly magazine of the same name, which has a circulation of approximately 40,000 copies, as well as an online video channel, Compact TV. It also has an online store that sells books, CDs, DVDs and other products.

Compact has been published since 2010. In its annual report for 2023, Germany’s domestic intelligence agency said it “regularly disseminates… anti-Semitic, anti-minority, historically revisionist and conspiracy theory content.”

He said a main feature is the agitation against parliamentary democracy in general and the German government in particular, and quoted Elsässer as saying on Compact’s homepage last year that “we want to overthrow this regime.”

The strength of the extreme right has caused growing concern in Germany in recent months.

Last month, the far right Alternative for Germany The party obtained 15.9% of the vote and finished second in the voting. European Parliament electionsdespite the recent scandals and setbacks.

He co-leaders Party members Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla denounced the Compact ban as “a serious blow to press freedom.” They allege that Faeser “is abusing his authority to suppress critical reports.”