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Saxony Interior Ministry deletes controversial post on Berlin Left Party after legal action
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The Saxon Interior Ministry deleted a controversial social media post about the Berlin branch of the Left Party (Die Linke) after the party took legal action. The post, published on Instagram and X by Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU), followed the Left Party's electoral victory in Berlin and described it as a 'slap in the face of upright citizens,' referencing issues of antisemitism and proximity to criminal clans. The Left Party demanded a cease-and-desist declaration by October 2 through a law firm. Schuster defended the post, stating he intended to warn against political influence by criminal clans and that it was his duty to take a clear stance against clan crime, extremism, and antisemitism. The Berlin Left Party is also pursuing similar legal action against other politicians, including Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) and interior ministers of other states like Brandenburg.
Source report
Armin Schuster (CDU), Interior Minister of Saxony. Source: Robert Michael / dpa
The Berlin branch of the Left Party (Die Linke) is taking legal action against politicians who accused the party of antisemitism and ties to criminal clans on social media. In response, the Saxon Interior Ministry has now deleted its own social media post.
Background
Following the Left Party's electoral victory in Berlin a week and a half ago, Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU) posted on Instagram expressing concerns about a potential government role for the party. In the post, he addressed the issues of antisemitism and criminal clans, calling the Left Party's election win a "slap in the face for law-abiding citizens."
The post was shared via the official Instagram and X accounts of the Saxon Interior Ministry.
Legal Action and Deletion
The Left Party, through a law firm, demanded that the ministry issue a cease-and-desist declaration by October 2. The ministry has since deleted the controversial post.
Minister Schuster rejected the suggestion that the post was intended to harm a political competitor for partisan reasons.
Schuster's Statement
Schuster stated that his intention was to warn against undue influence on politics. He noted that, according to security authorities, the public portrayal of "clan leaders" alongside public figures follows a strategy aimed at "influencing politics." He added that it is his duty to "take a clear stand against any form of clan crime, extremism, or antisemitism."
Broader Legal Actions
The Berlin Left Party is also pursuing legal action against other politicians who made similar accusations on social media. According to a party spokesperson, a lawyer has sent comparable letters to:
- Federal Minister of Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche (CDU)
- Interior ministers of other states, including Brandenburg
Source: dpa/gold
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