In a recent court decision, Björn Höcke, a prominent politician from Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD), has been convicted of using a banned Nazi slogan in a campaign speech. Despite the conviction, it is unlikely to deter the party's core supporters in its eastern strongholds.

Höcke, who leads the AfD in the eastern German state of Thuringia, was fined €13,000 for concluding his 2021 campaign speech with the phrase, "Everything for Germany!" This phrase is prohibited in political speeches in Germany due to its association with Adolf Hitler's SA storm troopers, who played a crucial role in the Nazi rise to power in the 1930s.

The slogan, which was emblazoned on the blades of SA daggers, holds historical significance and is considered a symbol of hate. Despite claiming unawareness of its connection to the storm troopers, Höcke's background as a history teacher before entering politics raises questions about his defense.

Known for his extreme views, Höcke first gained international attention in 2017 for a speech expressing his disapproval of the construction of a Holocaust memorial near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. He referred to Germans as "the only people in the world who planted a memorial of shame in the heart of their capital" and called for a complete change in the country's "politics of memory."

Höcke's influence within the AfD has grown in recent years, despite numerous controversies. He maintains solid support in Thuringia, where he is running to become premier ahead of the upcoming September regional election. Recent polling indicates that the AfD is the most popular party in Thuringia, with around 30 percent support. Nationally, the party is polling in second place, with approximately 18 percent support.

However, the AfD's controversial and extremist stance has led to consequences. A high court ruling declared the AfD a "suspected extremist" organization, granting the country's intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the authority to monitor party politicians through wiretaps and informants.

Höcke and other AfD leaders have denounced these measures as anti-democratic and claim that the SA slogan trial is part of a broader state effort to suppress the party's rise through repression. Höcke took to social media to express his frustration, stating that "Germany is at the forefront of persecuting political opponents and suppressing free speech," leading X CEO Elon Musk to question why the slogan was banned in Germany. Höcke replied by suggesting that every patriot in Germany is unjustly labeled as a Nazi.

Germany's constitution includes provisions that aim to prevent authoritarian politicians from using democratic means to seize power. Parties deemed anti-democratic and extremist may face consequences such as the revocation of state financing, monitoring by domestic intelligence agencies, and even potential bans. The law also prohibits the use of symbols associated with unconstitutional and terrorist organizations.

The conviction of Höcke serves as a reminder of Germany's commitment to defensive democracy, a system designed to safeguard against the reemergence of authoritarianism. Although it remains to be seen how this conviction will affect the AfD's support base, it highlights ongoing debates surrounding free speech, historical sensitivity, and the boundaries of political expression in Germany.