The court decides: Extremists are not allowed to join legal training in Thuringia.
The Constitutional Court in Thuringia ruled that extremists can be excluded from legal training, rejecting the lawsuit filed by the parliamentary group of the AfD party in the state. The court confirmed that party affiliation alone is not sufficient to exclude applicants, and there must be clear anti-democratic behavior.
The court clarified that this ban aims to protect the proper functioning of the judiciary. Legal trainees are often assigned tasks that are not subject to public oversight, so public trust in judges and the judicial system is of utmost importance. Allowing extremists to participate could undermine this trust.
The ruling confirms that excluding applicants who act against the free democratic system is more important than any potential violation of the freedom to choose a profession. The judges emphasized that maintaining the integrity and independence of the legal system is a "paramount public interest."
The AfD party argued that this regulation violates constitutional rights, including the freedom to work, freedom of expression, and equal treatment of political parties. Party representatives, including Vivian Rotscheidt, considered the decision disappointing and viewed it as an unfair punishment for politically engaged individuals.
For legal trainees, legal training, known as Referendariat in Thuringia, is a crucial step to obtain full qualification, pass the second state examination, and pursue a career as judges, public prosecutors, or lawyers. The court's decision ensures that only applicants who adhere to democratic principles can advance in the legal profession.