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Gerald Grosz at the AfD's Political Ash Wednesday
Photo: Armin Weigel / dpa
The Deggendorf district court has imposed a fine on the Austrian ex-politician Gerald Grosz because he verbally attacked CSU leader Markus Söder at the AfD's political Ash Wednesday. The insult brought Söder “close to the National Socialist regime,” said the judge when announcing the verdict in the appeal proceedings in Deggendorf. Accordingly, Grosz should pay a fine of 90 daily rates of 165 euros, i.e. 14,850 euros.
The judgment can be appealed, so it is not yet legally binding. Grosz announced that he would appeal again and, if necessary, go to the Federal Constitutional Court.
Grosz described Bavaria's Prime Minister as "Södolf", "Corona autocrat" and "traitor" in February 2023 in Osterhofen, Lower Bavaria. He called Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) a “horror clown”. Because of the Söder insult in September, the district court initially issued a penalty order against Grosz for alleged insult and imposed a fine of 90 daily rates of 400 euros, i.e. 36,000 euros. But the 47-year-old didn't accept that.
Statements were “satire”.
Grosz defended his choice of words in court as “satire.” His lawyers also saw the statements as covered by freedom of expression as part of Political Ash Wednesday. A lawyer describes the Bavarian Prime Minister's complaint as an "attack by Markus Söder on political Ash Wednesday." Freedom of expression and speeches on Ash Wednesday deserve special protection.
Grosz also denied the accusation that was initially made against him of carrying a knife and thus violating the right to assembly. He only had a bottle opener with him. Only one day of proceedings was scheduled for the proceedings against the former FPÖ and BZÖ politician. FPÖ and BZÖ are – like the AfD in Germany – right-wing populist and Eurocritical parties in Austria.
czl/dpa