Chemnitz cancels lecture by right-wing extremist Sellner – court supports decision!

Chemnitz cancels lecture by right-wing extremist Sellner – court supports decision!

In Chemnitz, a decision by the Saxon Higher Administrative Court is causing a stir: the city is not obliged to provide the PRO CHEMNITZ/Free Saxony city council group with premises for a public meeting with the right-wing extremist activist Martin Sellner. The decision falls on July 4, 2025 and follows a previous appeal against a decision by the Chemnitz Administrative Court, which had supported the city the week before. According to medienservice.sachsen.de, an already confirmed reservation was withdrawn after it was announced that Sellner was scheduled to appear as a speaker.

The reasoning of the administrative court, which determined that the issue of “remigration” does not fall within the jurisdiction of the city council, is essential for the rejection of the urgent application by the PRO CHEMNITZ faction. This view was also supported by the Higher Administrative Court, which expressed concerns as to whether the event actually served to fulfill the tasks of the city council group. The court also made it clear that with regard to access to the town hall, it is to be expected that extremist and racist content will be discussed, which is not permitted according to the city of Chemnitz's usage regulations.

Public reactions and subsequent events

The decision sparked debate not only in Chemnitz, but also in the broader political landscape. The city council group had already announced its plans to challenge the decision via its Telegram channel on Sunday. Marcus Fuchs, a prominent member of the Free Saxony and former mayoral candidate in Dresden, announced that Sellner would appear in Dresden on Thursday evening, without revealing further details. These developments illustrate the divided attitude towards right-wing extremist gatherings in Germany, which continues to drive the political camp apart, as saechsische.de shows.

The debate about the right to assembly and equality before the law has become more explosive in this context. The fundamental right to freedom of assembly is often discussed, especially when it comes to right-wing extremist groups. The Basic Law protects collective expression of opinion, but the right to freedom of assembly is only granted as long as it does not serve the purpose of improper use. According to bpb.de, the state is obliged to ensure public safety and take action against extremist content.

With yesterday's decisions it is clear that the city of Chemnitz and its institutions continue to ensure that meetings take place within the framework of the legal regulations. The execution is complex and requires a good instinct, as with all challenges that the topic of right-wing extremism brings with it.