What is the 'political firewall' against Germany's far-right AfD?

In Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany, a political incident involving violence has sparked controversy ahead of upcoming state elections. According to police reports, Arno Bausemer, a member of the European Parliament and a representative of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), allegedly attacked two teenagers who were damaging an AfD campaign poster in Stendal. The Landeskriminalamt (State Criminal Police Office) confirmed that a physical altercation occurred between one of its officers and the youths. During the confrontation, a suspected blunt object, later identified as a baseball bat, was used, resulting in minor injuries to one of the teenagers, who required medical attention for a mild concussion and other bruises. The incident took place on Thursday evening in Stendal, a town in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt. Local media reported that the two teenagers had been caught in the act of destroying an AfD banner. Bausemer, who enjoys parliamentary immunity due to his position in the European Parliament, reportedly intervened and physically confronted the youths. One of the teenagers was injured during the encounter and taken to the hospital for treatment. According to police statements, the exact sequence of events is still under investigation. However, it is known that Bausemer posted on social media about the incident, claiming he had caught the youths in the act of vandalism and had managed to detain one of them after a brief chase and resistance. He shared a photo showing him holding onto one of the teenagers, though the image blurred the youth’s face. Bausemer did not provide further details regarding how he restrained the teenager or the nature of the confrontation beyond what was stated in his initial post. Reactions to the incident have been swift and critical. Susan Sziborra-Seidlitz, the leader of the Greens in Saxony-Anhalt, condemned the alleged use of force against a minor and called for immediate consequences. She emphasized that violence should never be part of political discourse in a democracy and argued that anyone using a baseball bat against a 14-year-old is unfit for public office and must resign immediately. Similarly, Eva von Angern, the chairperson of the Left Party faction in Saxony-Anhalt, criticized Bausemer for losing all sense of proportion by attacking someone with a bat, stating such actions belong in court rather than in parliament. The incident comes amid heightened tensions in Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD is currently leading in polls with over 40 percent support. This level of popularity raises concerns about the influence of far-right parties in the region. With the state election scheduled for September 6, the situation underscores the polarized political climate in the area. The Greens, who are struggling to gain traction in the polls, see this incident as another challenge in their efforts to counter the rise of right-wing populism. The legal implications of the case remain unclear. While Bausemer holds parliamentary immunity, the police noted that it is possible to seek approval to lift this immunity and pursue legal action against him if necessary. This could lead to formal charges being filed against him, depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigations. As the election approaches, the incident has added fuel to the already contentious political atmosphere in Saxsen-Anhalt. It highlights the growing concern over the role of far-right elements in shaping the political landscape and the potential for increased conflict as the election date nears. The situation continues to unfold, with more information expected as the police investigation progresses.