Ban on "Kingdom of Germany" – QUERDENKEN-711 Criticizes Increasing Criminalization of Government-Critical Movements

QUERDENKEN-711 is increasingly concerned that the German government is relying on bans and labeling movements as “criminal” whenever government-critical initiatives or alternative, non-state structures emerge.

Criminalization of Political Opposition and Alternatives

Michael Ballweg, founder of the initiative QUERDENKEN-711, commented:

“Following the ban of Compact and the criminalization of Last Generation, this is the next step. It seems there is a systematic attempt to place all government-critical positions and alternative structures under general suspicion and criminalize them.”

Ballweg emphasizes that this stands in direct contradiction to the principles of democracy. Freedom of opinion, freedom of assembly, and the right to publicly discuss alternatives to the current political system are essential foundations of a free society.

Criticism of Lack of Differentiation

QUERDENKEN-711 explicitly criticizes that legitimate and peaceful dissent is increasingly equated with extremism or criminal behavior. Blanket bans of this nature risk causing long-term damage to democratic discourse and culture.

Ballweg adds:

“Democracy lives from open and differentiated debate. If every critical movement is immediately criminalized, dangerous precedents are set that will ultimately erode democratic freedoms.”

QUERDENKEN-711 Calls for Protection of Democratic Freedoms

QUERDENKEN-711 urges the German government – and especially the Ministry of the Interior – to stop the blanket criminalization of dissenting movements. Legitimate protest, alternative social models, and constructive criticism of government policy must remain possible without state repression.

QUERDENKEN-711 explicitly emphasizes in its manifesto (https://querdenken-711.de/manifest/):

QUERDENKEN stands for personal responsibility, self-determination, love, peace, freedom, joy, and truth. Those who stand for peace stand for non-violence. Those who stand for love reject all forms of extremism, racism, and antisemitism, both implicitly and explicitly.