Germany’s Constitutional Court ruled on Tuesday that the extreme right-wing NPD should have its state subsidies withdrawn and its tax relief canceled for six years.

The case is to an extent symbolic, as the Nationalist Democratic Party of Germany (NPD), now known as “Die Heimat” (The Homeland), has not been receiving subsidies in recent times after failing to obtain enough votes in elections. However, it still benefits from tax relief measures.

The court’s ruling could well play a role in current deliberations over whether similar measures could be taken against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

  • @[email protected]
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    6310 months ago

    Just goes to show everyone how insanely disproportionate online noise is compared to how real people IRL feel. You’d be forgiven in thinking that all Germans hate immigrants based on discussions you see online. With the rise of braindead people supporting hardcore right wing politicians, it’s nice to see that it’s still a minority of people.

    • @Serinus
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      10 months ago

      I expect AI is going to multiply certain online sentiments by thousands soon.

      It could be good. If they push it hard enough, it may just be common knowledge that online sentiment is manipulative bullshit.

      Currently I think there’s still enough genuine interaction to drown out most of the troll farms, but I don’t expect that to last much longer. The troll farms will be grinding anyway as it gets closer to the US election. We’ll see how much AI they’ll have implemented between now and October.

      • @[email protected]
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        510 months ago

        Here’s an idea: it doesn’t matter whether it is AI generated or written by a person, some speech is harmful no matter who writes it.

        That’s why it’s illegal to make certain salutes in Germany, regardless of whether you’re being serious or not. Same thing with yelling about having a bomb at the airport. If you’re serious, you’re a terrorist. If you’re joking, you’re just a dumb terrorist. Either way causes unnecessary stress.

      • Ann Archy
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        10 months ago

        How much could Russia afford this time around? Let’s find out in round three of Russo-American Psy-Op Games!

        “If at first your soft coup fails, just try and try again four years later, isn’t that so?”

        “Right you are Ken!”

        • @Serinus
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          410 months ago

          I expect China will be better at it this time around, though I can’t say how much they care to influence this election. It’s clear what Russia wants.