German nationalist leader Frauke Petry could lose immunity
BERLIN — German nationalist leader Frauke Petry could face prosecution over allegations she lied under oath, after a parliamentary panel in the eastern state of Saxony recommended Thursday that her immunity should be lifted.
Petry’s Alternative for Germany party has campaigned heavily against immigration and is expected to enter the federal parliament for the first time in next month’s German elections.
Unless further objections are raised by Saxony’s state parliament, Petry’s immunity will be lifted next week. The 42-year-old has herself requested the move, saying she wants to clear her name.
The investigation centres on differing accounts given by Petry, currently a lawmaker in Saxony, and another party official to a state legislature committee in relation to a candidate list for a 2014 regional election.