The work of the investigative committee in Thuringian Constitutional Protection According to its chairman Martin Henkel, the project stalled due to a lack of files. The cause is the delay in providing files by the Ministry of Home Affairs. “We were delayed. “This is a situation that is of course very critical,” the CDU politician told the German Press Agency in Erfurt. Therefore, the committee’s work is “effectively blocked.” Although the first files have now been sent, there have been delays and not all the requested files have been received.
Henkel would not say which files were involved, citing confidentiality obligations. Thuringian Ministry of Internal Affairs would not comment on the topic when asked. “There is a legal prohibition on providing information about this content,” a spokesperson said.
Laptop or cloud for secure file access
At least a technical solution has emerged regarding how the files should be made available to parliamentarians. Among other things, a supposedly secure cloud solution and a variant in which MPs would be provided with specially secured laptops on which the files reside are being discussed.
The Investigative Committee entitled “Possible Political Influence on the Constitutional Protection Office” was established by AfD and is intended, among other things, to clarify whether the Thuringian Constitutional Protection Office, Stephan Kramer, violates legal or regulatory obligations of the civil service and whether it adheres to political neutrality. The Thuringian AfD is classified and monitored by the country’s Office for the Protection of the Constitution as right-wing extremist. In the 2024 state election, the party has more than a third of the seats in parliament and could set up its own investigative committee.
The chairman saw a delay
Henkel demonstrated an understanding that when sensitive information is involved, technical solutions must be found regarding how that information can be made available. But this is the second step. First, the files must be submitted to the state parliament. That hasn’t happened yet.
According to him, it is time for the committee to evaluate the files, arrange interviews for the files, submit special requests, and appoint witnesses. “But all this is only possible once you have access to the files,” Henkel said.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251111-930-275598/1
