Around four months ahead of schedule AfD federal party conference in Erfurt on July 4th and 5th the Erfurt trade fair is coming under considerable pressure as an event location. In response, those responsible have now published an unusual statement. In it they distance themselves from the AfD and take a clear stance against the politics of the party, which is partly classified as “certainly right-wing extremist”.

AfD party conference in Erfurt: Criticism of the trade fair as a venue

The Erfurt trade fair, a state-owned company of the Free State of Thuringia, has been exposed to harsh criticism for weeks. According to information from FOCUS online, many emails and phone calls were received at the trade fair in which people expressed their incomprehension about the decision to provide the AfD with space for its federal party conference. There was also criticism on social networks.

The trade fair has now responded with a statement on its social media channels. In the statement, those responsible emphasize that they “take the concerns of many people seriously.” At the same time, they point to the “legal framework within which we have to act”. Accordingly, the principle of equal treatment of political parties applies to public institutions.

“If the formal requirements are met and the event concept can be implemented, the trade fair is subject to a so-called ‘compulsory contract’, i.e. the legal obligation to conclude a contract. These requirements are met.”

“The Erfurt Trade Fair stands for the protection of human dignity”

And further: “The Erfurt Trade Fair stands for the protection of human dignity, for the freedom and protective rights of our Basic Law and for the diversity of our society. People of different origins, religions, world views and realities of life meet in our halls.”

The authors emphasize: “We position ourselves clearly against all forms of racism, anti-Semitism, discrimination, exclusion and misanthropy. This attitude shapes the self-image of Messe Erfurt and its employees.”

The Erfurt Trade Fair is fulfilling its mission as a public event venue. It is not the responsibility of those responsible to “select or exclude events according to their own political or ideological standards”.

There is a binding obligation to comply with applicable laws for all events. “Unlawful, unconstitutional, racist, anti-Semitic, inhumane or otherwise punishable content or actions will not be tolerated by Messe Erfurt and will be consistently prevented,” said the trade fair management.

Equal treatment of parties: Also applies to AfD events

The fact that the AfD cannot simply be banned from holding an event was shown, among other things, at the 2024 federal party conference in Essen.

According to the city of Erfurt, a meeting of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) with around 15,000 participants has been registered for July 4th – under the title “No place for fascism: defend democracy – resolutely oppose the AfD!” Further events with several thousand protesters are planned.