A known right-wing extremist, Tommy Frenck, has been permitted to run for the position of Landrat in the Thuringian district of Hildburghausen, despite laws prohibiting extremists from holding such positions. Frenck, a former NPD politician and organizer of right-wing rock concerts, was approved by a majority vote in the election committee, with three members voting in favor and two against. The 37-year-old Frenck has been a prominent figure in Thuringia’s extremist scene for years and has been mentioned in previous reports by the state’s intelligence service.
Members of the election committee were provided with a dossier on Frenck by the Thuringian State Office for the Protection of the Constitution before making their decision. The committee members were said to have acknowledged the seven-page document. According to the election leader of the district, Mario Geitt, the decision of the election committee is final and cannot be contested. Despite protests against Frenck’s candidacy, he was also allowed to run for Landrat in the 2018 election, where he received almost 17 percent of the votes from the approximately 54,500 eligible voters in Hildburghausen.
The Thuringian Municipal Election Act prohibits extremists from participating in mayoral and Landrat elections, requiring candidates to uphold the principles of the democratic constitutional state. Despite this legal provision, Frenck was allowed to run for Landrat in 2018 and has now been approved to do so again in the upcoming election on May 26th. His candidacy has sparked controversy and protests in the community, with concerns being raised about the potential impact of his extremist views on local governance.
Frenck’s approval to run for Landrat has raised questions about the enforcement of laws preventing extremists from holding public office. Critics argue that allowing someone with such extremist ideologies to represent the community undermines the values of democracy and could have negative consequences for the region. However, supporters of Frenck believe in his right to participate in the electoral process and view the decision of the election committee as a victory for freedom of speech and political diversity.
The case of Tommy Frenck highlights the challenges faced by authorities in addressing the presence of right-wing extremism in society and the need for stronger measures to prevent individuals with such views from gaining political influence. The decision to allow Frenck to run for Landrat in Hildburghausen has reignited debates about the limits of freedom of expression and the responsibilities of electoral bodies in protecting democratic values. As the election approaches, the outcome will be closely watched as a reflection of the community’s stance on extremism and its impact on the political landscape in Thuringia.
