20261112 Neue Fälle von Berufsverboten

12.11.2026 Neue Fälle von Berufsverboten

Occupational Bans Then and Now

Fifty years after the 1972 “Radical Decree,” the Berlin House of Representatives passed a resolution to conduct an academic analysis of the “consequences of the Radical Decree in West Berlin.” This was primarily a successful initiative by GEW BERLIN, based on the work of the union’s Working Group on Occupational Bans. Unfortunately, this is not merely a matter of shedding light on the historical mistakes of the government at that time, as the policy of occupational bans has now also found its way into the “new” federal government.

The current cases are part of the ongoing legal developments and the erosion of democratic rights. Information and resistance are necessary, the union writes in the linked article. It goes on to say:

People who are active in peace, climate, or social policy issues; who demonstrate, organize in unions, publish in critical media, or are active in left-wing organizations. They face the threat of being denied employment, disciplinary proceedings, or expulsion from their profession.

The linked article presents four cases, which we do not wish to recount individually here — please read it there! Unlike the professional bans of 50 years ago, this is currently happening quietly, without any high-profile government decree. But just as back then, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution is once again actively involved in carrying it out.

Anyone who equates capitalism with democracy can declare any protests unconstitutional and criminalize them.

As a result, climate activist Lisa Poettinger has been denied admission to the teacher training program (Referendariat) by the Bavarian State Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs, which effectively amounts to a ban on her training and professional practice. In its justification, the Bavarian State Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs accuses her of being an enemy of the constitution, arguing that rejecting capitalism is tantamount to rejecting democracy. Yet the federal government itself had stated in 2017: “Capitalism as an economic system is not part of the free democratic basic order.”

Even shift work at a homeless shelter can threaten the constitution

Similar to the train engineer in 1972, Ken Merten — a security employee at facilities housing homeless and substance-abusing individuals — is accused of having political unreliability due to his extracurricular activities in the SDAJ and the DKP, as well as his role as an editor for the “far-left extremist” newspaper *Junge Welt*. The Saxon Office for the Protection of the Constitution provided the “findings” on this matter.

Whether occupational bans are implemented by decree or simply imposed insidiously—they are unconstitutional and they endanger democracy because they spread fear and promote conformity. Nip it in the bud!

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)