Far-right AfD deputies are not welcome at the Berlinale. The underlying discussion revolves around the question of whether a cultural event subsidized by state institutions has the right to boycott public representatives that it finds unpleasant.
It all started with a comment on Instagram by the Luxembourg actress Désirée Nosbusch after learning that the Festival management invited four deputies from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to the opening. The criticism led to a statement supported by some 200 cultural professionals against the Festival's unfiltered policy.