German University Ends Contract with Left Party Candidate Over Links to Youth Organization

Gabriel Bruckdorfer, a Bundestag candidate for Die Linke, claims his job at the University of Augsburg was not renewed due to his passive membership in a youth group flagged by Bavarian authorities.

• Gabriel Bruckdorfer, a 25-year-old education student and Bundestag candidate for Die Linke, lost his part-time job at the University of Augsburg after authorities raised concerns about his ties to the Linksjugend.
• The Linksjugend, a youth organization affiliated with Die Linke, is listed by Bavarian intelligence as extremist or extremist-influenced, potentially disqualifying members from public sector employment.
• Bruckdorfer asserts he is only a passive member of the Linksjugend due to an automatic enrollment process for Die Linke members under 35 and denies any active involvement in extremist activities.
• The university cited a mandatory verfassungstreue (constitutional loyalty) assessment, which prohibits public employees from affiliations with flagged organizations, as the basis for not renewing his contract.
• Bruckdorfer and his legal representatives argue the decision lacks proportionality and that passive membership alone does not demonstrate disloyalty to democratic principles.

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