New law would bar convicted hate speech offenders from elected office and civil service

The federal cabinet has put forward a draft law that would prevent people sentenced to at least one year in prison for incitement to hatred from standing in elections or being appointed to civil-service jobs. The loss of passive voting rights and eligibility for public office would be decided by the criminal court and could last up to five years, at the court's discretion. Compared with a December 2025 draft, the new version raises the minimum custodial term from six months to twelve months before the sanctions apply.

The German Bar Association opposes the rule, warning it may have a counter-productive effect and raise serious constitutional issues. The amendment is also seen as a way to limit the political influence of the AfD, potentially affecting leaders such as Björn Höcke. Additional provisions would increase penalties for attacks on police, local politicians, doctors and train conductors, though some legal experts view these changes as largely symbolic. The Bundestag will decide the bill's fate.