Germany: Politicians Filing Thousands of Legal Complaints Against People for Saying Mean Words

Annalena Baerbock and Robert Habeck, both from the “Green” party

You can’t just say mean things to people. It’s against the law of democracy.

In democracy, everyone is nice all the time, even if they’re verging on complete mental breakdown. If you don’t like it, then vote for the mean person who says mean things to others.

European Conservative:

Over the past three years, more than 1,300 citizens in Germany have faced legal proceedings for allegedly insulting public officials. The surge in cases, particularly under the current coalition government led by the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens, and Free Democrats (FDP), has prompted a nationwide debate over the limits of free speech.

Data obtained by Apollo News shows a sharp increase in such cases, with Green Party ministers Robert Habeck, the vice chancellor, and Annalena Baerbock, the foreign minister, filing a combined total of over 1,300 complaints. Many of these involve comments, memes, or social media posts deemed defamatory under Section 188 of the German Criminal Code.

One of the most controversial cases involved a 64-year-old pensioner from Bavaria, Stefan Niehoff, whose home was raided by police last week after he posted a meme calling Habeck an “imbecile.” Niehoff described the early-morning raid, during which his devices were confiscated, as reminiscent of practices in authoritarian regimes. According to prosecutors, the raid was prompted solely by the meme, which was interpreted as an effort to undermine Habeck’s role in government.

Habeck defended the action, asserting that such insults go beyond acceptable criticism. Earlier this week, he called for tighter regulations on social media to combat disinformation and enforce “rules of decency and democracy.” Critics warn that such measures curtail legitimate dissent and satire.

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The use of Section 188 to prosecute alleged insults has increased nationwide. In Münster, investigations rose from 17 in 2021 and 2022 combined to 137 in 2024. Halle witnessed similar growth, with cases jumping from 11 in 2022 to 81 so far this year.

This is a democracy. We have rules. One of those rules is decency. The other rule is democracy.

You can’t just say mean things.

The women in charge said “no,” and just like your real mommy, you have to do what they say.

Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, holding a sign that says “I hate free speech.” The guy who made this meme is probably going to jail.