German Politician Niema Movassat Criticizes Politician Insult Law
Niema Movassat, a politician from the German Left Party, has criticized Paragraph 188 of the German penal code, which makes insulting politicians an official offense. In an interview with Der Freitag, Movassat argued that the law undermines free speech and is constitutionally questionable because it grants politicians greater protection of honor than ordinary citizens. The law leads to approximately 4,500 investigations per year, initiated by the state rather than by the affected politicians. Movassat stated on X that sharp criticism of political officeholders must be possible in a democracy. He called for the abolition of the paragraph.
Key facts
- Paragraph 188 makes insulting politicians an official offense in Germany.
- The law results in about 4,500 investigations per year.
- Niema Movassat is a politician from the German Left Party.
- Movassat criticized the law in an interview with Der Freitag.
- He argues the law violates free speech and constitutional principles.
- The state initiates investigations, not the affected politicians.
- Movassat posted on X that sharp criticism of politicians must be allowed.
- He calls for the abolition of Paragraph 188.
Entities
Institutions
- Der Freitag
- German Left Party
Locations
- Germany