Banning a form is not something common nowadays Germany. The relevant decision of the Minister of the Interior Nancy Feser against the monthly magazine “Compact” therefore deserves special attention. This particular publication is clearly placed in the ideological space of the so-called “New Right”, a section that expresses an extreme “radical conservatism” combined with ethno-populist theories about the purity of the German nation and the danger of its “alteration”. The specific space verbally distances itself from Nazism, but supports, even with violence, the establishment of an authoritarian model in a purely homogenous national state.

In other words, despite its “popular appearance” in terms of design, it is an important ideological tool, not only for the far-right “Alternative for Germany” (AfD), but also for local movements such as the so-called “Identity” , promoting a compact ideological arsenal for the entire space and over-themising in favor of the networking and organization of the space. From time to time he has published fake news, such as the information that “German generals are preparing to attack Russia”, he has supported various conspiracy theories, he has insulted politicians from other places, while using racist phraseology with verbal “creations” such as “bomb of asylum”.

There is nothing further to the right

Its editor, Jürgen Elgesser, is considered one of the initiators of the blue wave propaganda, that is, the prospect of an electoral victory for the AfD in 2025, whose official color is blue. This particular 67-year-old journalist, although considered to be of leftist origin, has since 2005 made a complete “far right” turn. Thus, although he moves comfortably in “Alternative” conferences and events without fear like his other colleagues, he has received criticism from more moderate members of the party, who accuse him of doing greater harm to the party with his “old communist” practices. However, the two AfD co-presidents Alice Weidel and Tino Krupala reacted as soon as they were informed of the ban, signing a joint statement in which they condemned the “heavy blow to the freedom of the press”.

A fan of Trumpism

Elgesser is also a staunch supporter of Donald Trump, often writing in support of him under the banner “2024-Year of Change” (in the US). Violent aggressive speech is anyway a common feature of Trumpists and far-right Germans. Calling political opponents “criminals” is a typical example. In the rationale for the ban of the German Ministry of the Interior, it is pointed out that through the publications of the press and the events it organizes, acts that are contrary to the German Constitution are incited and supported. In the justification of the decision it is pointed out that, in addition to parties and organizations, the law also gives the right to ban businesses, such as in this case a publishing house, which call for unconstitutional actions.

Among what was prohibited, apart from the circulation of the form, is the use of symbols, such as the infamous “blue wave”. Nancy Feather spoke of a decision against the hard Far Right in the country.

An actual audience

According to the magazine’s own figures, its circulation reaches 40,000, while its YouTube channel called “Compact TV” currently has 345,000 subscribers.

The ban is not directly related to the “Alternative for Germany”, since it is not a party paper. But he opened the debate on a possible ban on the far-right party, which was requested for example by the left-wing MP Katina Schumann.

Such a thing is of course not simple. A request for a formal ban can be filed either by one of the two houses of Parliament or by the government, with the Supreme Constitutional Court of the country having the verdict. In addition to the legal difficulties, there is always the debate about whether the Far Right can be dealt with through legal means and prohibitions, or whether this ultimately strengthens it even more.