Poll: Only AfD Voters Want to Abolish Politician Insult Law

A substantial majority of Germans support maintaining special criminal protections for politicians against insults, with 58 percent favoring retention of the controversial law according to a new poll.

The Forsa survey, conducted for RTL and Stern magazine and reported by Junge Freiheit, found that 38 percent want to abolish Paragraph 188 of the Criminal Code, while four percent gave no answer. The statute imposes enhanced penalties for insult, defamation, and slander against persons in political life when the offense is deemed capable of significantly impeding their public work.

The debate over the law erupted following a criminal penalty order issued against a Facebook user who referred to Chancellor Friedrich Merz as “Lying Fritz” on social media. The district court in Öhringen imposed a fine of 30 daily rates on the individual, sparking widespread discussion about free speech and political criticism.

Sharp Political Divide Over Protection Law

The poll reveals a striking partisan split on the issue. Supporters of the Alternative for Germany party are the only political group where a majority favors abolishing the law, with 60 percent calling for Paragraph 188 to be struck from the books.

By contrast, 84 percent of both Union and SPD supporters back keeping the special protections in place. Green party supporters favor retention at 81 percent, while Left party adherents support it at 75 percent. The findings underscore how attitudes toward political speech protections align closely with broader political orientation.

Regional Differences Between East and West

Geographic location also influences views on the statute. In western Germany, 59 percent support maintaining the criminal provision, compared to 52 percent in the eastern states. Support for abolition stands at 37 percent in the west and 41 percent in the east, suggesting slightly greater skepticism toward special political protections in the former communist territories.

Growing Political Opposition Despite Public Support

Despite the poll showing majority public backing, political opposition to Paragraph 188 has grown in recent weeks. Following the “Lying Fritz” case, several Union politicians broke ranks to call for eliminating the enhanced protections, as Junge Freiheit previously reported. Social Democratic politicians have expressed more caution about changing the law.

The current version of Paragraph 188 was introduced in April 2021 as part of tougher regulations against hate crime. The law creates a separate category of offense specifically protecting politicians and public figures, with penalties exceeding those for ordinary insults directed at private citizens.

With information from Junge Freiheit