Stuttgart Administrative Court Rejects Linke's Request to Block Minister Hagel's Statements

In a preliminary ruling, the Stuttgart Administrative Court turned down the Linke’s request for an injunction aimed at halting the spread of two statements by Baden-Württemberg interior minister and CDU state leader Manuel Hagel. Hagel had described the Berlin police in one outlet's report and accused the Berlin branch of the Linke of undermining internal security and offering officers transfers to the southwest. The court concluded that Hagel acted as a party politician, not as a minister exercising official authority, and therefore his comments fall under freedom of expression rather than the neutrality requirement for public officials.

The judgment states that the minister’s title in the newspaper does not create a direct link to his official role. The Linke may file an appeal with the Administrative Court of Baden-Württemberg within two weeks. The party recently achieved a strong showing in Berlin’s state election, with Elif Eralp leading the list and being discussed as a potential mayoral candidate.