Germany debates reform of law shielding politicians from insults
After controversial investigations of people who mocked Chancellor Friedrich Merz as "Pinocchio" and "Lying Fritz," German parties agree the law protecting politicians from insults needs changing, though they disagree on how.
German political parties have found rare common ground: a law imposing harsher penalties for insulting politicians needs reform. The agreement follows several controversial cases in which citizens were investigated for mocking Chancellor Friedrich Merz as "Pinocchio" or "Lying Fritz."
While there is consensus that a problem exists, parties disagree sharply on the solution. The far-left Left Party and far-right AfD want the provision, Section 188 of the criminal code, abolished entirely, while Merz's CDU, the Greens and the center-left SPD favor revising rather than repealing it.
Origins of the law
Section 188 has existed since 1951, but Angela Merkel's government strengthened it in 2021 as part of efforts to combat right-wing extremism, following the 2019 murder of CDU lawmaker Walter Lübcke by a far-right extremist. The law allows for up to three years in prison or a fine for public insults tied to a politician's role that significantly impede their work.
Recent cases
One man was fined for calling Merz "Lying Fritz"; another for using a defamatory nickname coined by a satirical magazine. Retiree Andy Hüttner was investigated after writing "Pinocchio is coming" on a police Facebook post about security for a Merz visit. The case was dropped after media backlash and criticism from a U.S. State Department official.
Proposed changes
CDU lawmaker Susanne Hierl and Greens' Lena Gumnior both suggest the law should mainly protect local politicians, who face particular hostility, while top officials should tolerate harsher criticism. In June, state justice ministers called for narrowing the law to cover only municipal officeholders. For now, though, neither the CDU nor the Greens are pushing legislation before the end of the summer recess.
