Dortmund is suing the Alternative Party for the illegal use of the city's logo.
The city of Dortmund is taking legal action against the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party for using the city's historic emblem in its upcoming local election campaign in North Rhine-Westphalia, scheduled for September 14. Authorities say the party used the emblem without permission and demanded the destruction of all materials containing it or modification so that it becomes "permanently and completely unrecognizable."
A spokesperson for the city confirmed that the authorities have filed a request for a temporary injunction before the regional court in Dortmund to prevent the Alternative Party from using the logo in any form, whether on posters, online platforms, or social media. The ban will also include any design "similar to a degree that may cause confusion" with the original logo.
The controversy escalated with reports that the famous Borussia Dortmund football club is also taking legal action against materials from the Alternative Party's campaign. The dispute centers around what the city describes as a slightly modified version of its emblem, which dates back over a thousand years, used on the party's election posters. Authorities assert that, in order to maintain political neutrality, no party is allowed to use the city's official emblem in election campaigns.
However, the Alternative Party refused to comply, rejecting an official request to remove the logo. The party asserts that other groups, such as the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Free Voters Party, were allowed to use modified versions of the logo in previous elections, such as the 2014 campaign. It also pointed out that it has been using the logo in its publications for years without any objection from the city.
With both parties sticking to their positions, the dispute now moves to the courts, where the ruling could set a legal precedent determining how political parties in Dortmund can use the city's official symbols in the future.