German court orders Reiche to remove video attacking Die Linke

Germany's Federal Constitutional Court ordered Economy and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche to temporarily remove a ministry video accusing Die Linke of antisemitism.

The Second Senate's ruling was issued on October 14 and published on October 15. It concerns a video posted on the ministry's Instagram account on September 24, 2026.

In the video, Reiche accused Die Linke of openly practising antisemitism and frightening Jewish residents of Berlin. She also criticised its proposals for expropriation, saying they would deter investors.

Die Linke challenged the publication as a violation of its right to equal participation in political competition. The court found that keeping the video on an official ministry account risked causing serious, irreparable harm to that right while the case was pending.

The court said Reiche could continue to express views as a party politician or private individual and discuss economic risks in an official capacity within constitutional limits. The interim decision passed by six votes to two.