The disruptive action during the ARD summer interview with AfD federal chairwoman Alice Weidel continues to cause discussion. In the immediate vicinity of the open-air studio on the banks of the Spree in Berlin, the radical left-wing collective ‘Zentrum für Politische Schönheit’ (ZPS) organised a noisy mob protest, making it almost impossible to listen to the AfD leader. Particularly explosive: ZPS founder Philipp Ruch claims that they had co-operated with the Berlin police in the run-up to the event.
In retrospect, Philipp Ruch did not describe the unannounced action as a disruption, but as a ‘beautification action’. In an interview with Bild editor Paul Ronzheimer, he spoke of ‘close cooperation with ARD and the AfD’. No questions were asked about this unusual formulation.
Photo: screenshot ARD Tagesschau
In the interview, Ruch also stated that the bus from which the annoying noise emanated could only be placed directly opposite the ARD interview studio because it had been ‘in close consultation’ with the Berlin police. The Berlin police have not yet commented publicly on this statement, but two misdemeanour proceedings have been initiated against the rioters – for violating the right of assembly. The claims of the self-proclaimed ‘artist’ Ruch should therefore be taken with a grain of salt.
Not only was the action not registered with the police, it also took place in an area where such gatherings are generally prohibited. The location of the disruptive action lies within the so-called ‘pacified district of the Bundestag’. Assemblies are generally not permitted there. Exceptions are only possible with the authorisation of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the approval of the President of the Bundestag. As things currently stand, no such authorisation had been granted for the ZPS action.
Not only the role of the police, but also that of the media is more than questionable here: although Ruch’s statements suggest that there may have been deliberate toleration or even collusion with state authorities, Ronzheimer refrained from enquiring. Even ARD itself, which is financed by licence fees, has not yet commented on the disturbance during its broadcast (see video below).